Speaking at a public lecture organised on his 88th birthday at Symbiosis Vishwabhavan, on the subject, ‘Solutions for Corruption’, Member of Parliament advocate Ram Jethmalani supported Anna Hazare’s demands to bring the prime minister and cabinet under the purview of the Lokpal Bill. He added that there are worthier causes that Anna should also take up if he is serious about the fight against corruption.
“I don’t believe even Anna has a solution for corruption. But he is correct that Lokpal might help in reducing it unless the institution of Lokpal itself comes under the cloud after some time,’’ Jethmalani said. During his address, he added that Anna should immediately take up the cause of protecting the dilution of RTI Act, 2005 if he wants to fight corruption.
“We can fight corruption with knowledge, with an act like RTI that allows people to know what their elected representatives are doing. However, the prime minister recently made a statement that RTI is interfering with democratic processes. This is dangerously pointing towards muzzling of this act and Anna should take up this cause,’’ he said. He also criticised supporters of Anna’s campaign of being blind followers with no knowledge of Lokpal or its various drafts.
Besides demanding a strong Lokpal and RTI Act, Jethmalani stressed on the recent revelation of black money in Swiss banks.
“I asked people to think logically. Why is a government appealing against a Supreme Court decision to bring back black money? Unless they are guilty or fear being exposed! The most important thing right now is to bring back this money and expose those involved to send out a strong message against corruption,’’ he said.
Jethmalani also made scathing remarks against the Nehru family, accusing them of being corrupt and tyrannical. “Unfortunately, politicians from a particular family have been made into Gods who are immortal to reason or question. People in India deserve a better deal,’’ he said.
Jethmalani particularly attacked Indira Gandhi for her politics during Emergency and accused her of messing up the Kashmir issue.
Retired Justice JS Verma, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India presided over the event also attended by SB Mujumdar, founder of Symbiosis University and Vidya Yeravdekar, executive director of Symbiosis Society.
