Criticism against Lokpal & Answers

I don't believe that a single law can remove corruption. What Anna says about the law being capable of removing 65 per cent of corruption is baseless. As for this wave, I don't think we can call this a movement, for that needs years of commitmen -- Aruna Roy
See if you believe atleast 1 percent of corruption can be restricted by bringing this law, why it is still not passed in parliament. If there is a better law, why is it not brought??
 
The Lokpal bill was first introduced by Shanti Bhushan in 1968 and passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969. But it did not get through in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India. Subsequent versions were re-introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, but none of them passed.Why is it not passed? Since politicians and beauracrats are not interested to fix the isssue of corruption, someone has to come forward.


Anna is in the scene since Right to Information was demanded. In the early 2000s Hazare led a movement in Maharashtra state which forced the state government to pass a stronger Maharashtra Right to Information Act. This Act was later considered as the base document for the Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI), enacted by the Union Government. He even made it pass through fast unto death. Because of this act, most of the scams are out. Else, it would have been unknown for years.



The whole campaign is being scripted by political players with agendas -- namely right wing ideologues like the BJP and the RSS, specifically the youth wing -- with the 'India Against Corruption' itself being the construct of the latter. It strictly an upper caste, middle class urban phenomenon. "Do you see a single Dalit in the movement? - Purushottaman Mulloli
Well, first the government said that Anna is a corrupt and then they went little further by saying even US has hands in it. But people still believes in him. Why? It is not because he has a powerful speech to entice people , but is because of his honest deeds. He proved through out his life that he believe in selfless service and he is against corruption.

People were desperate because of the scams popping up every day and they need a leader who wont get influenced by politicians. Anna striked at the right moment and not only dalit but also SC and ST participated in the movement. Many of the Dalits who give such comments are either making it for political reasons(the leadership they were enjoying for years) or scared of their corruptions that will come out because of this law or may be concerned that the rich in the dalits may lose their reservation rights. Well, Anna started this movement ensuring it will be apolitical as well as secular. Though, many of the parties tried joining the movement for political reasons. It is an insult to the people of India who came out in thousands that they are all workers of a particular group.


"But here they are bullying the Government to accept their view and blackmailing them with an indefinite fast. This is undemocratic," - Shabnam Hashmi
Well, till yesterday we boast about Mahatma Gandhi who had performed indefinite fast for achieving freedom from British rule. Now, when the system of India is corrupt and the politicians are not ready to pass a strong bill in the parliament, citizens has to take responsibility and hence the civil society has come into picture. When all options of civil society to make the parliament pass the law got failed, then the only option available is to sacrifice themselves for a bigger cause. How many of them will be ready to do an indefinite fast even it is democratic?

Well, the civil society never wanted the government to accept their views but they wanted the parliament to bring a strong Lokpal bill. But what has happend is after Prime Minister ensuring the IAC about bringing a Lokpal Bill, in last April, they have introduced a toothless Lokpal bill. The JanLokpal bill was open to the public and was reformed several times to reduce the loop holes in it. The government's version doesnt cover all corruptions and has many loopholes. More over, there is possibility of politicians/bureaucrats/tycoons to influence the Lokpal committee and make them corrupt. The JanLokpal bill is still open to all and any view if found a remedy for the corruption cancer will still be accepted.

IAC never said that their draft should be passed in Parliament. They only asserted the right of the people to oppose the draft that has been presented in Parliament and demanding that JanLokpal bill draft be discussed there to make the government version strong.


However, some of the strongest criticisms of the movement comes from Dalit rights activists who feel that not only has the movement kept them out, the draft Bill they have made also does not ensure access to Dalits.
-- It is always accessible online and it is not an easy job to go into each person and explain the bill. With due respect, how well did Dr. Ambedkar(being a dalit) gave everyone access to constitution. This is a movement for a common cause..corruption.. dont bring secular issues in it. The movement is for bridging the divide in the rich and poor. It is for those lakhs of ordinary people who have nowhere to go to seek help or cannot get justice without bribing. The government version did cover high level scams but it doesn't cover the problems of low level corruptions were poor people are involved.