After his release in Delhi, Anna Hazare to fast for 15 days against corruption
The activist and government critic will be allowed to protest to push his proposal in parliament. Opinions about him, his methods and movement are divided. “Indians should ask themselves whether they have ever given or received a bribe. That would be a truly Gandhian movement,” said Fr Mascarenhas, from the Pontifical Council for Culture.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare will be released from Delhi prison after reaching an agreement with police. He will be freed tomorrow to carry out a 15-day hunger strike when Delhi’s Ram Lila Maidan park will be ready for crowds. For observers, the deal allows government to take a step back after it arrested the activist two days ago (see Nirmala Carvalho, “Anna Hazare arrest "totally unacceptable,” in AsiaNews 17 August 2010). Police had initially insisted the fast last only three days.
Hazare is protesting against a draft law against corruption currently before parliament, which he believes has been watered down. Instead, he wants lawmakers to vet his proposal.
“The problem is complex and there are many troublesome sides,” Fr Theodore Mascarenhas told AsiaNews. For the clergyman, who is in charge of the Departments of Asia, Africa and Oceania at the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, “corruption is a disease that must be fought. In this sense, Hazare has led the way. However, his methods are arrogant. Since the government spoke with him, gave him an opportunity to go before the parliamentary committee with a draft law before parliament, he should have waited before starting this protest.”
“It is disturbing how the media set him up against the government and members of parliament,” the clergyman said. “Everything, the man and his movement, are a media creation and the protest is fuelled by TV channels. It is dangerous to see how forces of division are trying to exploit the issue.”
“The opposition jumped on the Anna Hazare bandwagon. Yet, why didn’t they propose changes [to the draft law] in parliament? Going on a hunger strike and dying will not solve the problem of corruption,” Fr Mascarenhas explained. Instead, “Indians should ask themselves whether they have ever given or received a bribe. That would be a truly Gandhian movement. All else is a farce and hypocrisy.”
“I am a victim of corruption,” Fr Anand Mathew, IMS, director of Vishwa Jyoti Communications, told AsiaNews. “I have firsthand knowledge of the crippling effects of corruption by the government machinery on the poorest and marginalised.”
“From government clerks up, corruption trickles down, depriving the poorest and the marginalised of their basic rights,” he lamented.
“The poor have to grease the palms of public servants. Even getting a simple ‘Below Poverty Line Card’ requires a bribe,” he said. However, “Our movement will continue.” To this effect, “the Christian community must support and work for this second struggle for independence.” (NC)
Hazare is protesting against a draft law against corruption currently before parliament, which he believes has been watered down. Instead, he wants lawmakers to vet his proposal.
“The problem is complex and there are many troublesome sides,” Fr Theodore Mascarenhas told AsiaNews. For the clergyman, who is in charge of the Departments of Asia, Africa and Oceania at the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, “corruption is a disease that must be fought. In this sense, Hazare has led the way. However, his methods are arrogant. Since the government spoke with him, gave him an opportunity to go before the parliamentary committee with a draft law before parliament, he should have waited before starting this protest.”
“It is disturbing how the media set him up against the government and members of parliament,” the clergyman said. “Everything, the man and his movement, are a media creation and the protest is fuelled by TV channels. It is dangerous to see how forces of division are trying to exploit the issue.”
“The opposition jumped on the Anna Hazare bandwagon. Yet, why didn’t they propose changes [to the draft law] in parliament? Going on a hunger strike and dying will not solve the problem of corruption,” Fr Mascarenhas explained. Instead, “Indians should ask themselves whether they have ever given or received a bribe. That would be a truly Gandhian movement. All else is a farce and hypocrisy.”
“I am a victim of corruption,” Fr Anand Mathew, IMS, director of Vishwa Jyoti Communications, told AsiaNews. “I have firsthand knowledge of the crippling effects of corruption by the government machinery on the poorest and marginalised.”
“From government clerks up, corruption trickles down, depriving the poorest and the marginalised of their basic rights,” he lamented.
“The poor have to grease the palms of public servants. Even getting a simple ‘Below Poverty Line Card’ requires a bribe,” he said. However, “Our movement will continue.” To this effect, “the Christian community must support and work for this second struggle for independence.” (NC)
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