Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

<< Presendential candidates biography videos by the dailyshow | Home | Immigration voice for "Filing 485 when PD is not current?" >>

Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

People for Loksatta is organizing Dandi March II, a walk of 240 miles from San Diego to San Francisco from March 12th to March 26th. Marching Volunteers are demanding Jan Lokpal Bill. They believe this is do or die moment for our stuttering democracy. They are going to the extent of calling this as second freedom struggle and named the event after historic Dandi march. Why they are so emotional about this and what is this Jan Lokpal bill anyhow?

To know this, let us begin with pillars of any democracy. It is widely understood that any functioning democracy needs four independent pillars to provide checks and balances: Legislative (Parliament), Executive (Government), Judicial (Courts) and Media (both print and electronic). But most successful democracies have realized that there is a missing piece, a fifth pillar named vigilance that is needed as a deterrent to human weakness for corruption.

Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark etc) were first to realize this and introduced a fifth pillar called Ombudsman office to check the widespread corruption in those countries. Ombudsman is a trusted person who heads an supervisory office independent of executive branch which has powers to prosecute the corrupted officials to safeguard interests of citizens. After introducing this system, Scandinavian countries were able to put an end to rampant corruption in the highest offices. See the 2010 corruption index, needless to say - all above Scandinavian countries are in top 10(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index)

India too realized a need for such an office and instituted Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in 1966 to recommend how this can be implemented in our country. Commission has recommended two-tier system called Lokpal at the center and Lokayukta in the state. As a result, Lokpal bill was drafted and introduced in 1968 Lok Sabha and was passed. But by the time it reached Rajya Sabha - Lok Sabha was dissolved resulting in the death of first bill. Since then bill was revived in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 2001, 2005 and 2008. Our political system has gigantically failed to put in place an independent vigilance system that would have prevented a 2G Spectrum, Bofors, Common Wealth and thousands of scams that are rotting away the pillars of the democracy. They have brought us to the the verge of collapse of democracy.

Recently - Congress, to save its face from 2G spectrum, is planning to introduce a Lokpal bill. But don't get too excited - the bill they are planning to introduce is shamelessly watered down. Lokpal office that they are creating will be another CBI functioning at the diktats of the Government. It will not be autonomous, will not be able to prosecute members of parliament without speaker's consent, it cannot take up cases Suo motu. This would not do anything to change the status quo.

Outraged by the temerity of Congress to play with sentiments of people, civil society has risen up. Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Swami Agnivesh, Justice D. S. Tewatia and several others have started resisting. As a result, Jan Lokpal Bill is unveiled, which has the teeth to bite the corruption. Anna Hazare has threatened to do fast unto death from April 5th if this bill is not introduced. Several organizations have started mobilizing the people in solidarity.

People for Loksatta, an organization created from the inspiration of Dr. Jayaprakash Narayana, has realized this as the do or die moment to bring a positive change. In a synergetic fight, it has joined hands with India Against Corruption, 5th Pillar, Youth for better India, Corruption Saaku, Bharat Swabhiman, Save India from Corruption. They have planned Dandi March II to act as a catalyst to spur a massive movement in the fight against corruption. This event has blessings of Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayana and Vijay Anand. Stalwarts of civil society and organizations fighting tirelessly to end corruption in India are coming together to build massive movement. Their demand is simple: Pass Jan Lokpal bill. Now they need your support.

How can this happen? I am outraged.

Anna Hazare fighting for Jan Lokpal

Dr. JP exhorting public support for Jan Lokpal

Kiran Bedi talking about synergistic fight for Jan Lokpal

If you are tired of the rampant corruption in India, please join hands with these forces in mounting the public pressure on the Government.

How can you help:

1. If a march is happening in your city from March 12th to March 26th, join the march.

http://www.dandimarch2.org/index.html (See if your city is listed here)

http://www.dandimarch2.org/route_maps.html (Route map from San Diego to San Francisco).

2. If you cannot physically make it to the march, show your solidarity in the virtual march on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176611095715304

You can like this page to get updates: http://www.facebook.com/DandiMarch2

3. You can donate whatever the money you feel is appropriate to this cause.

http://www.dandimarch2.org/to_event.html

This is indeed a second freedom struggle. Freedom from evil internal forces that are rotting our pillars of democracy. We need Jan Lokpal Bill to fill a gaping hole in our democracy now. If not now, when?

Rama Gundapaneni

Edited by: Natasha Gundapaneni

Print | posted on Monday, March 07, 2011 3:46 PM

Comments on this post

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Excellent Ramu... I really hope this bill gets passed. Good luck to all of us.

Left by Sashank on Mar 29, 2011 3:52 AM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Below link doesnt not open:

http://www.dandimarch2.org/index.html

Left by Divya on Apr 04, 2011 7:10 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

The nice thing about college is that there is usually a gym and it is usually a free membership because you are paying the tuition and the cost of it is covered. The reason people gain weight when they go to college is because they are studying late at night and they like to have many late night snacks.

Left by Supra For Sale on Jun 06, 2011 10:11 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Designed as per your own choice: If you want an exclusive mulberry bag just matching your favorite dress and you are worried, then no need to worry at all. It is so because at eurohandbag you can have the bags as per your choice. You are just required to give your choice, the dimensions and all would be done in an instant at eurohandbag.

Left by mulberry bags on Jul 13, 2011 3:15 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Keep in mind that we are not having any sorts of provisions like minimum order requirement. You can always purchase these exclusive and Cheap Sunglasses in the format of one dozen or more than that. The more you will buy more discounts you will get!

Left by Oakley Sunglasses on Jul 25, 2011 3:18 PM

# casino online

It’s Valuable information for all. I will recommend my friends to read this for sure. Thank you for the work.

casino online

Left by casino online on Aug 04, 2011 7:34 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Iam with you anna hazare against corruption......................

Left by bhavesh on Aug 10, 2011 11:43 PM

# New York Casinos

I've read this post for the first time after a very long search, impressed by the clear work.Keep it up.

Left by New York Casinos on Oct 18, 2011 2:59 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Do I get a prize?? For commenting on this?

Left by plataformas múltiplas - bet365.. on Jan 22, 2012 9:22 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

Of course it is better to do it now! Thanks for the idea

Left by resume writer service on Feb 26, 2012 4:09 AM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

On all this videos peopl told useful things. You should watch them all.

Left by descriptive essay on Mar 01, 2012 9:44 PM

# online casinos gambling sites

online casinos gambling sites

Left by casinos gambling sites on Mar 15, 2012 9:57 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

I spend really a good time in visiting your blog. keep up posting more..

Left by seo forum on Apr 01, 2012 10:00 PM

# re: Support Jan Lokpal Bill now, if not now, when?

I fully agree with you! I think it is the best time for it

Left by term paper on Apr 09, 2012 10:09 AM

Your comment:

Title:

Name:

Email: (never displayed)

(will show your gravatar)

Website:

Comment: Allowed tags: blockquote, a, strong, em, p, u, strike, super, sub, code

Please add 1 and 4 and type the answer here:

World as I perceived