Hope, scepticism among people over Lokpal Bill

Sunday April 10, 2011 06:21:19 PM, IANS

New Delhi: A day after social activist Anna Hazare called-off his fast against corruption, many of his admirers Sunday hoped it would bear fruit. Some others were sceptical if the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill demanded by him would really succeed in tackling graft.

Tens of thousands across the country cheered Saturday when Anna Hazare, 73, called off his 97-hour fast-unto-death for a rigorous anti-corruption law after the government accepted his demands.

"I was born and brought up in this city and never before have I seen so many people gather at one place supporting a cause. Moreover, all of them came there spontaneously. This agitation by the people has proved that India is a great democracy," said Shashi Verma, 52-year-old government employee.

Agreed Sunita Jhamb, 43, a homemaker. "It was the middle class that made the movement successful," she said.

"The middle class for the first time since I can remember has come together for a cause and has proved that a revolution without violence can be brought about just with determination and self-belief," said Jhamb.

But while many saluted the social activists' determination to fight corruption, there were some who did not approve of his protest to make the government meet almost all of his demands. A few others said they did not believe that the anti-graft bill would be passed in parliament smoothly.

"I admire Anna's willpower but this was a mere blackmail which was successful only because of the media hype. There are similar agitations taking place around the country, some for the past few decades but no government has budged in those cases because of no media interest," said Pariskhit Kirit, a share broker.

Angad Rajvanshi, 32, ssaid that there was no point being overconfident that the bill would become a law and "set everything right around us".

"The politicians in our country are too cunning and selfish to give away their powers to citizens for free. We should wait and watch till the bill becomes a law with an eye on the amendments that would be made in the process," said Rajvanshi.

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Farooq Naikwadi, a counselor for Civil Services exams, addressing a workshop on the topic at Abdullah Ash Shae Auditorium, Mansoora in Malegaon April 09, 2011

(Photo: ummid.com)