There’s more to injustice than corruption: Bangalore activists

“We must be analytical when we lend support to the movement against corruption,” said activists at a meeting that comprised writers, leaders, and journalists. The meet was organised by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Policy and National Law School on Friday.

Writer and journalist Chandrashekhar Patil, Agni Sridhar, Prof Hasan Mansoor, Amrbose Pinto, and others got together to discuss how they could contribute to the framing of an effective Jan Lokpal Bill. Several issues were discussed pertaining to the making of the bill.

The group suggested that an approach paper be prepared, corruption be clearly defined and tainted politicians be left out. The committee should be free from religious influence and self-proclaimed gurus, they proposed. Corruption in religious institutions should also come under the purview of the Lokpal, they felt.

They also voiced their opinion about the inclusion of backward communities and women representatives. They said former Union law minster Shanti Bhushan must not be a part of the committee. A panel will be formed to draft a bill and send it to the committee formed at the Centre.

“The Gokak movement went in the direction it did because of people’s involvement, criticism, and fair assessment of those leading it. We must question how inclusive the committee drafting the bill will be,” said Patil. “That the fast was over in five days and the government relented so quickly is questionable. It must have done so fearing the movement would spread to rural areas,” he added.

“Hazare has acted in an authoritative manner. He has also praised Narendra Modi. Who are his friends and what message are we getting?” asked Pinto.  

“The Lokpal will become the most powerful person in the world if he makes the law, implements it, and punishes the wrongdoer. We are undermining the state and public distribution system. But the bill does not address other forms of corruption.” he said.
Prof Mansoor questioned why corruption is the only one getting attention while ‘structural violence’ such as caste-based discrimination is still being perpetuated.

“There are other issues such as privatisation, unemployment, inequality, and violation of human rights,” said Sridhar.

“The movement must be intellectual rather than  emotional. We must understand the shape and form of corruption, insist on an approach paper before we start making it,”said Niranjan Aradhya from National Law School of India University.