Unelected do-gooders cannot arm-twist elected officials
Business Standard / New Delhi Apr 06, 2011, 00:21 IST
Social activist Anna Hazare wants an equal number of self-proclaimed civil society activists to be part of an official committee drafting a new Lok Pal Bill. “There should be as many representatives of government as there are of the people” is his submission. Hello? What is a government in a democracy if not an extension of the will of the people? Can self-appointed do-gooders, however well meaning, usurp the role of “representatives of the people” without due process of election? Mr Hazare is a good man. Unfortunately, he is “fasting unto death” for a wrong cause. The idea of a Lok Pal, an anti-corruption ombudsman, based on a Scandinavian model, was a bad one when it was first mooted in the mid-1960s and remains a bad one 40-odd years later. The creation of the institution of a Lok Ayukta at the state level has not helped reduce corruption in state governments, so a new Lok Pal at the national level is unlikely to do a better job at the central government level. The recent experience with the nomination of the Central Vigilance Commissioner shows that it is individuals rather than institutions that matter and there is no guarantee that a Lok Pal will necessarily inspire confidence and be effective. No one will deny that the problem of corruption in high places needs to be dealt with. There is no better way of doing this than strengthening existing institutions of democracy, including the legislature, the judiciary, the executive and even the media. Greater transparency in the functioning of these institutions will reduce corruption in public life. No Lok Pal can do what members of the four estates of the nation cannot and will not do.
It is a pity that despite the obvious shortcomings of this idea, it has been floated repeatedly. Bills have been repeatedly tabled in Parliament and successive governments, comprising almost all political parties in India today, have repeatedly spoken in favour of it, without doing anything about it. Somebody must call a spade a spade. The Lok Pal Bill should be buried, not kept alive by a threat of a fast unto death, even by a well-intentioned person like Mr Hazare.
It is tragic that an assortment of non-accountable activists, publicity-seeking busybodies and an assortment of do-gooders have all managed to push the gentle Mr Hazare into going on a fast unto death. No government in a democracy can approve of such blackmail. Merely because Mahatma Gandhi used a fast unto death as a means of exerting pressure on an alien, colonial government does not mean that in a democracy such tactics can be tolerated, much less eulogised. The situation in which the government finds itself is partly of the ruling party’s own making. By elevating the status of non-government organisations (NGOs) that are not accountable to anyone, and by not activating its own cadres on development and other issues of public concern, the Congress party has given a larger-than-life role to NGO leaders. Nothing should be done, even in the name of fighting corruption, that can weaken the Indian state and the office of the head of government, who is the embodiment of national sovereignty and answerable only to Parliament. If necessary, Mr Hazare should be force-fed and hospitalised, but not allowed to browbeat an elected government of the people.
"non-accountable activists, publicity-seeking busybodies and an assortment of do-gooder"
Hyprocrite of the day! Talk about accountability and then don't publish the authors name. Publicity seeking is the author's middle name. In the middle of a significant of Indians,you bring out poorly constructed, contrarian view for what? Balance? or increasing the hits to your site by rightly enraged citizens. Next time, you are willing to go on fast for something you believe in ,let us know, we will write scathing article making fun of you and your cause.
The height of intellectual is to criticise everything. We should appreciate someone trying to bring in Change irrespective of any form. Instead of giving shape to Bill, let us prematurely comment.
A UK based Indian: deomcracy the way the world (western powers) shows us is purely a gimmick. Democracy where there only 2 or 3 options! Vote rigging, the most marketing dollars wins elections!
There is another system, that is the system of islam, there is deomcarcy in the election but the best people for the job are chosen. In US we have republics and deomcratics, in UK labour agaisnt conservative. In India Congress vs 'someone else'. In palistan PPP against muslim league. nothing changes, its the same system which is actually not democratic but a pushover. the political system of islam streamlines justice and tolerance in practise.
The author has 'knowledge' but no wisdom...why do you think UPA Govt. heeded to the fast by Hazare? Becuase we are a democracy, UPA was afarid that it will be booted from power next time. It is nonsense to say that only elected people have right over what is good for the country.
In fact, our Parliamentary Democracy, one can argue, is not true demoracy at all as as why should a MP from, say Andaman Nicobar (who is only repsenenting people from that small island), be eligibible to become PM of India (if he can bribe to get enough ruling party MPs to make him PM). Only in Presendential Form of Govt., the leader of the nation is elected by Majority of its citizens and hence can claim to represent the entire nation.
i heard a story of elephant...when it is small calf it is tied with a chain, it will try to break it with all its effort but with no effect. ultimately the calf will tend to believe that the chain is something unbreakable, that even when grown up and the chain becomes a just a pull to apart, it wont try it ever. I think the story fits to you very well...You grew up with a system thinking all are written on stone. thing can change only if people show the government how to change.
Good article. Dissent is a liberty ensured in a functional democracy. When people can be seen attempting to collectively crush dissent as on the discussion board here, it is to be taken as a sign of brewing totalitarianism.
The proposed Lok Pal is one such totalitarian body. It's proposed structure is comparable to a super-state body as seen in certain Islamic countries where the members are above democracy and have totalitarian powers above the democratically elected parliament. Moreover, the power carefully divided between the three estates is proposed to be assimilated and given to the Lok Pal. I don't exactly see how this colossal concentration of power will curb corruption if only it will further even greater corruption.
I would like to say one point - what democracy is to the writer.
It is not all about election or parliament or elected representatives.
It is "Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law" --- From Wiki definition. Hope this clears your confusion about what democracy is all about.
Election and parliament are mere derivative instruments for execution convenience. For the very reason of saving these instruments we should not forget the underlying principle that is 'democracy and people'.
can't believe any honest person in his right senses can have this opinion.. Pls do not let people put such articles on your website it only demonsartes that you have incompetent people without any regard to research & facts. Ask the author find out more on how hongkong tackled corruption.. maybe then it'll be evident to him as to how stupid this article is...
What a patronizing jerk! This author thinks Hazare has no brains of his own and can be pushed into this fast by self-seeking people? ANNA HAZARE -THIS IS THE MAN WHO GAVE US RTI ACT! Show some respect! Did you imagine what impact RTI Act would have?
These armchair scholars just want to prove they're smarter than the rest of us. Oh, take your grand scholarly treatises and get lost...
SHAME ON YOU BUSINESS STANDARD
lol!...agreed that the concept of a Lok-pal is a hazy one...but the gentleman (deleberately hiding his name in this article)by stating "....need for greater transperance in existing machinery" is being hazier and dubious i am sorry!
Dear Editor,
Don't you think the so 'the peoples government' has not only failed to handle the corruption issue but has found itself involved in it. And hence has simply failed.
Am not sure if you ever wrote a editorial to give solutions, then why only raise problem. One should support this peoples campaign (not purposely writing Anna Harare's campaign, because he himself does not claim so), cos there is no better solution available at this stage. Do you have any?
I can think of one... you may know Gandhiji's no co-operation campaign was referred and debated as 'non-obedience' and hence clearly breach of law.
There is only other way .... violence, am sure like me you also hope the Indian youth does not choose that.
While I would like to call this article an out-of-reality and unbalanced peice of editorial coming from BS and write at length on counter arguments of how electioned representatives are really elected and why self-professed "good man" like Anna should be allowed to fast etc.. I WILL NOT!
A slightly different perspective to this would be that BS (erudite and intelligent as they seem to be) may have already forecasted the responses they would receive on this strongly worded editorial. But they decided to go through it nevertheless. And the objectives could be
1. Drum up support on how the populace really feels about the topic (corruption) in question
OR
2. Plain sensational "breaking news" to increase viewership.
BS - Tell me am wrong!
It is unfortunate that such a politically motivated editorial comes out in a respected national daily. Wonder if this paper has come out with any such biased and negative report on corporates ever, fearing rejoinders or fewer advertisements?
Media like Business Standard also do "the arm-twisting thing to the elected officials" through campaigning for some interest groups..... and when an unelected person can assume the office of the Prime-Minister/ Chief-Minister ( though for 6 months) what is wrong with people participating in drafting Lokpal Bill ???
there are many committees and commissions of the GOI in which "UNELECTED" people are participating.
If the act of un-elected activist spreading awareness amongst dormant masses to cast off the wide spread corruption at higher places, is perceived as arm twisting then what about brazen shenanigans of publicly elected politicians?
As already correctly predicted by Winston Churchill several decades back, no need to say
How elections are contested and won in India.
Just because a tainted candidate was nominated for CVS, doesn't mean that every ombudsman shall be alike.
Another intriguing point from the edit emphasizing strengthening institutions of democracy was pertinent but herculean too.
Whom you supposed to do the aforesaid, corrupt politicians?
Is it a cakewalk to do what has not been done in past 64 years?
Today Ombudsman is opposed tomorrow election commissioners shall be opposed citing silly reasons like their inability to stop malpractices in elections.
Please, come forward and support the noble cause like other media houses are doing.
You talk about democracy and force feeding in the same breath. At least pretend to know what you're talking about, even though you obviously dont.
Where did you get the idea NGOs are not accountable to anyone? They are accountable to the masses, whose donations keep them going. And you must have been living under a rock to have not known that it is NGOs more than govt organisations that are doing any good in the society, for children, women, the aged, the climate, you name it.
Can unelected dogooders successfully arm twist elected representatives without support from the people? Isn't democracy all about the will of the people? You seam to be stuck with the protocols and established norms.
While some of the statements made (for instance, the one on "Anna Hazare must be force fed....") are fairly strong, the core questions raised by the editorial are valid arguments. Merely adding institutions to deal with corruption do not suffice. Lets face it. We, as a nation, are corrupt and unless there is a war on corruption which starts with every citizen who pays his way out of a traffic signal violation. To fight corruption, work from within the system - not from the outside and become armchair critics. Holding candlelight vigils and going on fasts is not the solution. Rolling up your sleeves and shaming those who are corrupt and meting out exemplary punishments is the solution
I had great respect to this newspaper till i had read this article. See now even newspapers not doing good for the country. It is time for mr TN Ninan to clarify, hope he does!
complete shitty article..
no logic,full of flaws in argument.
doesnt have guts to put editor's name in the article,
shame on Business standard.
you lost more ad-revenue than you can imagine.
The beneficiaries of the Bofors kickbacks are the ones who are really ruling the roost.These are the forces that are stonewalling attempts to have an effective anti corruption system like the Lok Pal.The well meaning Doctor is no match against such forces.Anna Hazare should build up a mass movement that will expose and throw out those slimy slugs that have upto now perpetuated and benefited from organised corruption.Lok Pal is just the first step.
The poor,oppressed,economically disadvantaged and starving millions are hardest hit by corruption.The rich become richer while the poor sink deeper into penury.Anna Hazare has emerged as the messiah of those who silently suffer the consequences of corruption.Money power,political clout,administrative connivance and sheer unmitigated greed are the ingredients which fuel corruption.There has to be some counter force to stem the rot.Anna Hazare is the rallying point for all those who want to oppose corruption.God Almighty,grant Anna Hazare the power to continue his crusade. God Almighty please ensure that those corrupt multimillionaires who are opposing Hazare meet their nemesis.
Anna Hazare is a true Gandhian and his Satyagraha is a clarion call to awaken the dead conscience of the political policymakers. Corruption is such a deadly cancer that highly stringent and deterrent measures are needed.In a communist country like China economic offenses against the State attract capital punishment and indeed those convicted on corruption charges had to face the firing squad.By contrast the Indian politicians are developing cold feet on the Lokpal issue.Anna Hazare should continue his crusade till an effective Lokpal bill is finalised with the help of civil society activists.
We should understand that this is a peoples revolution and anything which stands in it,s way will be washed away just like the recent tsunami in Japan and similar uprisings in the African & mid East Countries.
We all should follow Anna Hazare Ji and his cause to throw away corruption from India, and let our next generations live in a "Corruption free India"
dear editor.
quite disappointed with your editorial on anna hazare,the logic was full of flaws.He has been fighting for a nobel cause,please do support him being the fourth estate.
ramakrishna
Mr. Editor, BTW what do you propose to stop the corruption? You seem to be corrupt by imposing such wacky comments in an established newspaper. And, none of us elected you to write articles..so, stop writing any articles till the time you are elected. So, we will have to force-feed you and hospitalize you, so that you do not write any articles..
What superfluous arguments.
Democracy doesn't allow protest? - You are Laughable.
You want to resort to 'Strengthening of democratic institutions' to tackle corruption? Is this strengthening not misused in the past to give inordinate power to few people leading to corruption? So, is it not delusional to expect 'stregthning' to tackle corruption? Let me give you a simple lesson. If something has not worked in 60 yrs, its time to try out different approach (An empowering Lokpal bill). Trying the same old approach will only give same results
And letting democratically elected representatives take action on corruption? In effect asking corrupt to take actions against themselves. You are out of your mind.
The Business Standard by denigrating Anna Hazare has only blackened its own face. Business thrives through corruption and the appalling reaction to Hazare's movement only shows that business which means creation of wealth is the ultimate aim of life. The debate of means versus ends has been revived. Accumulation of wealth through corrupt means can never be justified.Gandhian philosophy has been butchered . A top editor who was earlier in PMO is now stridently condemning Hazare. The editor has established his credentials as a pedigree lapdog or a high class prostitute. He has disgraced the fourth estate.
Like the teeth of an elephant the govt has two approaches to corruption. One face is the mask represented by the Doctor on whose integrity the nation can swear by. The other,real face is the entrenched mafia of the politician-bureaucrat-businessman nexus whose sole aim is to plunder public funds. Hats off to Anna Hazare who has come out openly against corruption.There is one monster within the ruling coterie who is known a mister ten percent. No tender or contract of Central govt can be awarded without the mandatory cut to mister ten percent. The institution of an independent Lok Pal is desperately needed to unmask the mister ten percents who operate from the Janpaths of the country.May the almighty bless the movement of Hazare.Every conscientious citizen must stand up and be counted as a supporter of Anna Hazare.
Rajiv Gandhi was frank enough to admit that for every Rupee spent only 10 paisa reaches the poor. Government has become sinonymnous with organised corruption.The day is not far when this country will bag the first prize amongst nations for being the most corrupt.What Anna Hazare has started should have the all out support of all sections of the public.If ever a revolution was required it is a revolution against entrenched corruption.Let us hope that the movement started by Anna Hazare snowballs into a country wide protest against those who are looting the country with both hands on 24x7 basis.
A journalist questioned the famous historian Toynbee-what was the cause for the fall of the Roman Empire? The reply was CORRUPTION. This cancer destroys a nation and inflicts poverty and hunger on a mass scale. The crusade of Anna Hazare is primarily a revolt against a government which has blackened its face through a series of multi billion rupee scams and appointment of tainted person on a constitutional post which invited the condemnation by Supreme court. The common man has lost faith in the seriousness of government to curb corruption. In its broadest sense democracy means involvimg the public in decision making and that is what Hazare is demanding.A government committee implies a body packed with yes men. For setting up a Lok Pal the contribution of committed people like Hazare is a must as opposed to hand picked stooges which comprise a committee.
The track record of government to combat corruption is atrocious. Not only is the CBI subservient to political masters, but also the Central Vigilance Commission is a toothless tiger. The recent blunder in appointment of Central Vigilance Commissioner was struck down by the Supreme Court. With this background the demand of Anna Hazare to have a representation in drafting of Lok Pal bill is entirely justified.Fight on Hazare,the country is with you
Anna Hazare has adopted the Gandhian mode of protest. Dissent is the essence of democracy and article 19 of the Constitution of India gives the fundamental right to every citizen for speech, expression and to assemble peacefully without arms. Section 51 A of the Constitution contains the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired out national struggle for freedom.
Anna Hazare has acted in the highest democratic tradition and in the spirit of the Constitution to focus the anguish of the ordinary citizen and particularly the poor people who are directly hit by corruption. If a child is dying of hunger in Orissa or Bihar, It is because the development funds for reducing poverty have been plundered on the way. Anna Hazare is the conscience of such victims who have suffered over the decades.
I am saddened with the article of this kind of argument being published in a reputed newspaper like business standard. Dear writer, your argument of politicians being elected by us are supreme and cannot be challenged is absurd. This in spite of knowing how people in India vote and what quality of people stand for elections. Unless and until an anti-corruption body is independent of lawmakers/ruling government/politicians corruption can't be weeded out. By the way, are you a politician yourself?
A business friendly newspaper writes a corruption friendly editorial. Ask yourself, is the fourth estate working or has it been sold to advertisers? If business can arm twist govt to make abnormal profits, why can't people arm twist govt to make reforms.
When business are hiring likes of Radia to make ministers and laws, why can't a common man fast to get a law that benefits common man.
You are misleading people, when you say that the NGO or non elected people are trying to make a law, they are only drafting a law which will be 'made a law' by the peoples representative.
When you say that CVC and lok Ayukta have failed, do you want people to submit into the A Raja's of India?
You should have acknowledged the crying need to anti corruption law and the benefits it will bring to businesses, big and small across India.
Who is the writer of this article? He seems to be a advocate like Kapil Sibal who is good at defending the indefensible.For your information,Loka Ayukta is highly successful in a state like Karnataka.Just ask its CM yedayurappa who has had sleepless nights because of it.After seeing the toothless legislation the "elected representatives" have created, ordinary law abiding citizens have lost faith in all political parties.
What Anna saheb is doing is a "rangde basanti" moment which has support of everybody.Only people like Kapil Sibal,Manish Tewari and Manmohan Singh can provide "intellectual arguments" to stifle this well meaning protest by a true Gandhian,Anna Saheb.It is sad that this newspaper is also joining these people in defending the indefensible.
What a shit article! He is fighting for us! & what democracy are you talking about? The one which died slow death during last 50 years? We need additional column to support democracy now...Anti Corruption unit .i.e Lokpal with extensive powers...& It should be free from Govt control like SC & election commission.
Just curious - who has written this piece? Sanjay Baru? Or Abhishek Manu Singhvi? Or B.G. Varghese? Considering recent experience about BS censoring opinions even mildly critical to present day government, I have no hope this will see the light of day.
Who is the writer of this article? He seems to be a advocate like Kapil Sibal who is good at defending the indefensible.For your information,Loka Ayukta is highly successful in a state like Karnataka.Just ask its CM yedayurappa who has had sleepless nights because of it.After seeing the toothless legislation the "elected representatives" have created, ordinary law abiding citizens have lost faith in all political parties.
What Anna saheb is doing is a "rangde basanti" moment which has support of everybody.Only people like Kapil Sibal,Manish Tewari and Manmohan Singh can provide "intellectual arguments" to stifle this well meaning protest by a true Gandhian,Anna Saheb.It is sad that this newspaper is also joining these people in defending the indefensible.
Have you even read the bill? With all due respect, your article is based on little or no credible information. Please read about other democracy's in the world and see the role that non elected citizen bodies play in governance.
And these" tactics" "should not be tolerated in a democracy" where else does a common man have the right to protest in a dictatorship??
Surely you are joking Mr. Ninan! Must be a real off day for you at work. Or are you on the pay roll of one or more of our political outfits.
Posted by: Maneesh
August 19 , 2011, 00:09 IST
I agree with the article posted here to some extend. It would surely be a danger to the democratic built up of the country if demands are met the way anna and his co. are moving. Its as if someone says i will put a bullet in my head if my conditions are not met. Corruption is like a monster that shadows the society and its people and strong laws is indeed needed. But to make such laws we can't put at stake the building blocks of our constitution. Inspite of strengthening it, it would weaken its very base if things goes on the way such demands are met. People are swayed by emotions on some topics inspite of seeking the after effects of such support.
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