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As the 71-year-old anti-corruption crusader's fast entered the fourth day today, both sides talked tough. Union Minister Kapil Sibal, who has been negotiating with Hazare's emissaries, declared that it would not be possible to accept the demand for making Hazare the Chairman of the committee or to officially notify it.
Hazare reacted sharply saying time has come for a 'jail bharo' agitation throughout the country.
His campaign also made it clear that they were not jockeying for posts and that they would write to the Prime Minister suggesting that former CJI J S Verma or retired Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde be made Chairman of the joint committee to draft the bill.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who had yesterday appealed to Hazare to end the fast, today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the stalemate between the two sides. Senior ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Kapil Sibal and Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel were also present.
After the meeting, sources said that the government was ready to negotiate while Mukherjee appealed to Hazare to end his fast and join the committee for drafting the bill.
After waiting for Hazare's emissaries who did not turn up, Sibal told reporters "our position remains the same. It is not possible for official notification on the Constitution of the joint committee, but we said we are willing to issue an official letter through Law Ministry and a press note."
He said it was not possible for the government to accept their demand for making a member of the civil society as Chairman of the drafting committee.
"If you insist that a nominee of your side is the Chairman of the joint committee, in that event the committee will not consist of ministers from our end but officials of Government of India.
"In that eventuality, you can have your nominee as Chairman of the joint committee," Sibal told reporters after aiting with another cabinet colleague Salman Khurshid for
meeting with Hazare's emissaries Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal.
Speaking to his supporters, Hazare said "today when Sibal and these people are saying this, I feel that a jail bharo agitation should take place in the entire country.
"But you should participate in the agitation keeping in mind Mahatma Gandhi. There should be no violence anywhere," he said to a thunderous applause from the gathering that included film actor Anupam Kher and noted journalist Pritish Nandy.
Sibal and the two emissaries were to meet today in the morning but it did not take place with both sides saying that they were waiting for a call from the other. They are expected to meet at 6 pm today.
Agnivesh, who shared the dais with Hazare, however, sounded optimistic about a resolution.
"I do not want to colour it with something confrontationist. No, not at all. He (Sibal) has been very conciliatory and he has spoken to me on phone and he wants to resolve it as early as possible as possible, hopefully by this evening," he said.
Addressing the protesters, Kejriwal dismissed media reports of any crack in the movement, saying all those taking part in it were united.
Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, whose absence yesterday at the protest site triggered reports of crack in the movement, also said she was very much with the movement and will continue with the fight.
She said she could not be present yesterday as she was suffering from severe throat problem and was advised rest.
Addressing the gathering, Hazare asked people to stick to non-violence during the agitation. After first announcing April 12 as the date for the agitation, he later changed it April 13 citing holiday on account of Ramnavami.
He recalled that he had organised similar jail bharo movements in Maharashtra in the past and urged the unemployed youths to join the agitation, saying they will get the morning breakfast and two meals in the jail.
Maintaining that his agitation is for decentralisation of power in people's hands and the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill will be a step forward in that regard, Hazare made it clear that he was not interested in becoming a party to any committee.
Hazare said that corruption in the country could be checked if the agencies involved in fighting the menace were brought under the Lokpal instead of the government.
"All agencies supposed to check corruption like CBI, vigilance committees, and various committees are under the government. Because they are functioning under the government, there is no stopping of corruption.
"CBI has investigated many big cases before and after Bofors. But did any minister or IAS-IPS officer go to jail so far? This is because even if somebody wants to take tough action, the government will stop him," Hazare said.
"If the agencies responsible for controlling corruption, which are under the government, are brought under the Lokpal, then the corrupt will go to jail. That's why we are demanding this kind of Lokpal," he said.
Hazare also cited the example of Right to Information Act saying that the RTI changed the ball game and now the government has to follow rules and people will have control instead of people following the rules and the government having control which the Britishers proposed.
"Today there are two reasons for corruption that has risen in the country. The laws are weak so the corrupt have no fear. Secondly, lot of people running the government are taking along these corrupt people.
"There is also a third reason that there has not been a decentralisation of power. Corruption rose as power was centralised in the government. Lokpal Bill is for decentralisation and our agitation is precisely for that," Hazare said.
Meanwhile, four people who were also fasting at Jantar Mantar, have been hospitalised following a setback in their health.
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all these are waste efforts.in india corruption keep on raising not because of law failure but law enforcement failure another bill will never solve issue
Anna is doing right thing by awaking people. There should be strong bill. But I do not agree with Anna's bill that will give everyone a right to go against everyone. Denying justice system and straight punishment. It should be strong but democretic otherwise what would we leave for our kids. I do not support congress or BJP. But there could be anarchy if only one strong body responsile for most of the things. Look at developed countries and looking at what pepole would achive outof this is ONly short term benifit and long term it would be like dicterorship. I feel it is dangerous to undermine democrecy. Yes go for propert law and proper justice system as well. Anna does not gurrantee how these nobel, and Magesesey winner would not turn corrupt? 1.2 billion cannot depend upon only 5 person. Yes I am not happy with ministers as well but Anna should take with patence!
If Annaji at 72 can go on fast un to death for a cause dear our heart, it would be a shame on us if we much younger then Annaji do not go for Jail Bharo. It time to show our strength to the corrupt politicians. ( By the way, poor Sibal may say tomorrow that there is no loss of revenue to govt. due to corruption)
The government is not serious to end corruption as it suits them well. They have systematically tried to make all institutions including CVC, CBI etc. ineffective. We are very lucky that Supreme Court is holding fort. Its time we made Lok Pal a powerful institution and not a rubber stamp. Lets support Anna Hazareji as he is a Gandhian and has good understanding of peoples' problems.
its time for great revolution in india,movement wants the support all over india,to get out rid of this corrupt politician,and to rebuilt the constitution,policies as other country does.
if a not directly elected man ( MMS) can become PM of india, then whay not Hegde can become chairman ??
we all should fight these corrupt politicians
mr anna hazare ki jai .this is a big fire dont try to estingush with politics.no chance for you . all plitical parties are the share holder correption.so be carefull and i hope this protest will give a good lession to the all crrupted pliticion .jai hind.
Lok Pal Bill has been stuck for several decades. The Draft is so diluted that it cannot make any difference. The point to be noted that the vested interests of MPs, Ministers and more important, the bureaucrats will ensure that there will be no real progress on this front. While it is true that Government cannot be run by raising slogans, UPA, which has been in power for nearly 7 seven years have to answer the nation for the very tardy progress and for the phenomenal increase in corruption, which is threatening the economy, security of the nation.
Oneway Anna Hazare is pitier than Gandhi. Mahatma fought against foreigners. Whereas Annaji fights against our own nationals. Politicians cannot be found fault. We the citizens only to be blamed for voting sending them to do the corruption. They are not only corrupt, they corrupt and spoil the whole administrative machinery.
Why is the govt taking a hard stand and giving an impression that it is in favour of the loot in the country. What is wrong in the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the civil society reps.Why are they side stepping the people who have chosen these people in power. Do they want the people to overturn the govt like they did in Egypt. The sooner the govt realises the better it is.
It is but natural and obvious that a noble cleansing movement of this magnitude vouched for and fully supported by every true Indian citizen should shake the government's own confidence and experience tremors worse than those in a ,powerful earthquake or get scorched in the volcanic heat of the public wrath against the corruption and the corrupt as well as get dazed atthe stunning astonishment over such an overwhelming confidence in and support to Anna Hazareji'sREVOLUTIONARY AND HISTORIC CLEANSINF MOVEMENT and naturally the crafty government and its stoogies will try all tricks ranging from propagating a distorted picture of the JAN-LOKPAL BIL , half-baked offers for a compromise,deceptive appeasement moves etc.,etc.,-----BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT HAZAREJI IS TOOOOOO VERY POWERFUL MORALLY TO GIVE IN TO SUCH A TRICKERY AND MOCKERY!--SO LET US ALL MARCH RELENTLESSLY AND NOT LOOK BACK UNLESS AND UNTIL WE HAVE REACHED THE GATEWAY TO A CORRUPTION -FREE COUNTRY,A TRUE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
Anna Hazare deserves to be supported in his movement against a headstrong though a'democratically elected'government.The bane of Indian democracy is that it does not allow meritorious and honest persons to come to positions of power in any field.It has also given rise of'political families' in many states. A Lokpal bill with some teeth at least in part as per the suggestions of the Anna movement may be a deterrent against corruption in public positions. However basic reforms are needed in the qualifications for a candidate for the legislatures- like banning those with criminal cases against them and limiting an individuals tenure as a minister are essential to revive democracy in India.
We have to stop trains. Block Roads. Why are the India Railways keeping quiet. Why are the truck drivers quiet.
If we look better future tommarow. please fight today otherwise corruptive politicians , bureaucrat and Govt Contractor eat all country. At least Please support Old Man Anna Hazare.
Are Sibal/Sonia doing anybody a favour by bringing the Jan lokpal bill. Now the problem Silly sibal has is between elected and civil representative to be in the Lok pal committee. If we go by the sheer number of people wit Mr Anna Hazare, he is equal to atleast Kapi Sibals (ie 25 MPs) and it is growing. I demand this indo-Italian drama company to stop this nonsense show and feel the pain of a ordinary citizen (Viz Corruption) I hope Anna Hazare stays in good health and lives a long life to see us (India) all through this menace. Lets join hands with ANNA.
People are fed up with this govt. They loot the exchequre in the company of industrialist & beurocrat and the same money is pumped to buy votes. This is the know how tried & tested by DMK and the loot is shared by the congress under the excuse of the so called coailation compulsion. After bribng the more than 60% illettrate electrote they come to power again maintaining their perpetuality.Freebs and sops too will be distributed when they are in power making it almost impossible for the opposition to form a govt. Is it called democracy? If the govt. failed to address the current peacefull protest,it might lead to some kind of armed struggle as more than 33% of India is infested with naxalite struggle, that too with out any valid reason.
You are correct Mr sunil already election commission sized crores and crores in tamil nadu from these DMK corrupt politision.
How can Anna Hazare ji be so unfair? He expects the corrupt politicians to give up domain of looting the country so easily. All these politicians have groomed their kith and kin in politics, because it is lucrative and some of the politicians have even ensured that their heirs have left good jobs elsewhere, to join the main stream politics. Suddenly, Anna Hazareji wants them not earn (through corruption) their livelihood. The Govt is right in dilly-dallying the issue, since it would like to have the bill preparation, discussions in parliament and then passing / returning of the bill to take at least 25-30 years, till at least the present politicians kith and kin have earned their rightful due. Then only - may be two generations down the line, can we think about corruption-free country. How can Anna Hazareji be so unfair to seek immediate redressal?
What is happening in 16 states where the LOKPAL is already there!!! Whether the corruption has been finished? It will be just another body & will slow the growth of decision making even further!!! Sorry... but we don't need LOKPAL. We need to change ourselves... instead of wanting others to change!!!
Lokpal bill is not functional in any state! The bill will at least give some power to general people to take on money looters. Otherwise, what can we do today if ruling and opposition parties join in the dirty work?
that is because the lokayukta that is present in 16 states has little or no powers..that's exactly the one which government's lokpal bill intends to pass!
The so called people's representative can not be trusted any more because the PM & his cabinet is a gang of Alibaba & 40 thieves.Only difference here is this modern day alibaba claims to be honest and he has no control over the 40. Infact if he were the real alibaba and in control of the 40, things would not have becom that bad.Unfortunately the 40 and otheres from outside is controling him. That is why the society lost trust in the elected members and wants 50% of the commite from the people outside the parliement. Look at who are in the govt. proposed commettee.Do you think that the Kabil Sibal,the big mouth in the gang, who claimed there is no loss in 2G scam can be entrusted to draft the lokpal bill? The ace trouble shooter Pranab,who has been defending Hassan Ali all these days cannot even keep any where near the draft committe office. The other scamster Pawar has already ran away fearing back lash.So it shows that the Alibaba & co. has not at all taken it seriously.
Janta Lok Pal Bill whose time has come and every one must lend support by whatever way to support Anna. If left to politicians they will keep dithering or they will draft a bill/( Act) which will permit them to go scot free. No body has right to loot/squander away national wealth or use it for their personal gain or for keeping in foreign banks. Though every one now is gunning for politicians but dont forget the beaurocracy. Every IAS officer is Michavilian crook manupulating the politicians. They have concentrated far too much of power in their hands and then in collusion with politicians swindle the public money.the lokpal bill should frame tough laws to book politicians and any loophole to protect any beaurocrat should also be plugged. In fact drafting should be done by 60% public and 40 % Govt and some honest politician if there is any left.
I wish this crusade continuous till the govt agrees. The movement which Anna has started should be supported wholeheartedly by every citizen.The politicians /govt officials should shed their inhibition and support the cause.Lets look for anew beginning.Time has come for a change
Just hope that people can make time (if possible within their areas) to join any anti-corruption movements instead of wasting their time with cricket (which has become a slow poison to this country by wasting billions of man-hours). Julius Ceasar promoted Gladiator sports to take people's mind off from the corruptions and scandals. Our govt does the same by promoting cricket in every possible way. Manmohan singh plays the fiddle while India burns.
Anna Ji all Indian from Europe and around the world are with you ,its now or never ,media should give full coverage and support to this revolution which will bring new dawn for India ,freedom from Corruption and corrupt politician ,our humble request to the PM is to support and agree with Anna Ji request as there is nothing unjustified looking the past mess.more time the government make in taking the decision ,public become more suspicious on Congress government malafide intentions
When politicians, at the time of elections and also at the time of taking oath of office declare themselves to be servants of the people, why do they have problems in working under a chairman who will be from the civil society i.e. the common man. From the attitude of Sibal and his ilk, it is high time that the people of this country are given the right to recall any member of parliament that they had elected.