DNA invites you to join the debate on the Lokpal Bill
To have a meaningful and effective Lokpal, the prime minister, members of the higher judiciary, MPs, and all public servants must be included. There should be harsh punishment for such people, including life imprisonment and capital punishment. Political corruption is the root cause of all ills. There should not be any parallel agency to deal with corruption cases other than the Lokpal.
—Ramesh M Golait, Thane
The Lokpal Bill is essential to leverage the goodwill of millions of honest Indian citizens, but I wonder why a yoga practitioner like Baba Ramdev is resorting to a fast unto death to attract attention. It is a well-known fact that periodic fasting actually improves health and contributes to longevity. Periodic fasting is an essential procedure in Hatha Yoga, much like an anaesthetic administered prior to surgical operations, and will not cause death. However, the intention to bring back black money stored in Swiss banks is appropriate and requires cooperation between national and international agencies like the CBI and Interpol.
—Dr Jayanth G Paraki, Bangalore
The prime minister and the chief justice of India must be brought under the purview of the Lokpal Bill but with the permission of the Supreme Court. The apex court should decide on the merits of the cases to be investigated by the Lokpal, so that the Lokpal cannot misuse his powers to defame the PM and the chief justice.
—Shivprasad Nauriyal, Mumbai
The ‘king can do no wrong’ philosophy is applicable only in the UK, where the royal family and its members are above the law. The British law does not have any provision to sue the sovereign authority of the state. The Indian Constitution does not provide such an exception, and every Indian citizen is accountable and subject to the legal provisions of the country. Under the circumstances, one fails to understand the logic behind the government’s move to exempt the prime minister and the chief justice from the purview of the Lokpal Bill. It is apparent that the government is trying to pre-empt the moves of the civil members in the drafting committee. The entire nation desires to live in a corruption-free atmosphere with transparency and accountability for all.
—Nandakumar Hattiangadi, Bangalore
Transparency in administration in a democratic set-up helps generate confidence and public support even in difficult situations. Why should one be scared if acting in good faith in the interest of society and if there is nothing to hide? The veil of secrecy creates suspicion in the minds of people. The Lokpal is an institution to control and prevent abuse of power by public officials and to redress individual grievances arising out of mal-administration. It may not be fair to grant immunity to any — even those enjoying high positions of power.
—SL Gaur, Pune
The UPA government is making all efforts to scuttle the Lokpal Bill by deploying the likes of Digvijay Singh to issue erratic statements and diatribes against the team members who are on the job. Need anybody stress that the prime minister, MPs and judiciary are part of the multitude of this nation? Why then exempt them from coming under the purview of Lokpal Bill? The UPA is afflicted with a plethora of scams. It may even go to the extent of spiking the agitation by dividing the activists who are fighting for the cause.
—HP Murali, Bangalore
