Anna Hazare free to fast against corruption
by Nirmala Carvalho
The Indian activist left prison this morning. He wants to force the government to toughen its proposed anti-corruption law. Public opinion and the Catholic Church support the fight against corruption, but fear it might be used in a demagogical and anti-democratic way.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare was released this morning. He can now begin a 15-day hunger strike. Thousands of people waited for him at Ram Lila Maidan Park, in New Delhi, where he will carry out his fast.
The 74-year-old former army driver has harnessed a huge following through his action in favour of an anti-corruption law. His arrest three days ago, carried out to stop his hunger strike, sparked mass protests. Even though the authorities were willing to let him go, Hazare refused to leave prison unless he was allowed to continue his protest. Initially, police would allow him three days, but was eventually forced to accept a 15-day fast.
Hazare’s goal is to streghten the provisions of a draft bill meant to fight corruption, a problem that is endemic in the country at all levels (see “After his release in Delhi, Anna Hazare to fast for 15 days against corruption,” in AsiaNews, 18 August 2011).
Hazare has become a mass phenomenon in India. Yet, even though everyone can sympathise with his goal, some fear that the fight against corruption is being conducted in a demagogical fashion that could undermine the country’s democratic institutions, including the government and parliament.
Opinions vary in the Catholic community as well. On Tuesday, Fr Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said, “There is no justification for such agitation when the government has introduced a bill against corruption in parliament.” For him, “we cannot rule the country from the streets”.
Fr Babu’s statement triggered a response from Fr Anand Mathew, IMS, director of Vishwa Jyoti Communications who sent a letter to the secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, calling on the Church to back Hazare.
“If the church is committed to be pro-people and pro-poor,” the letter said, “it needs to come out of its pro-establishment attitude and out of the comforts of its pro-rich institutions and stand with the masses on the streets. Otherwise the church will be condemned for its anti-people stand taken during this anti-corruption movement.”
“It is the right time for Christians of all denominations, priests and religious, those in formation for priesthood, students in the Church run educational institutions to support this movement. It is the right time for the Church to prove its patriotism and love for the people of the country and not for the ruling party of the country.”
In reality, the Church does not want to be dragged into the highly polarised political situation. For Card Oswald Gracias, “we must avoid at all cost extreme divisions.” Instead, “we must work together to end corruption in the country and solve the crisis.”
Yet, for Samuel Jaikumar, of the National Council of Christians in India (which includes Orthodox and Protestant Churches), we must take advantage of the fact that the bill is in parliament to force the government to come up with tougher legislation.
The 74-year-old former army driver has harnessed a huge following through his action in favour of an anti-corruption law. His arrest three days ago, carried out to stop his hunger strike, sparked mass protests. Even though the authorities were willing to let him go, Hazare refused to leave prison unless he was allowed to continue his protest. Initially, police would allow him three days, but was eventually forced to accept a 15-day fast.
Hazare’s goal is to streghten the provisions of a draft bill meant to fight corruption, a problem that is endemic in the country at all levels (see “After his release in Delhi, Anna Hazare to fast for 15 days against corruption,” in AsiaNews, 18 August 2011).
Hazare has become a mass phenomenon in India. Yet, even though everyone can sympathise with his goal, some fear that the fight against corruption is being conducted in a demagogical fashion that could undermine the country’s democratic institutions, including the government and parliament.
Opinions vary in the Catholic community as well. On Tuesday, Fr Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said, “There is no justification for such agitation when the government has introduced a bill against corruption in parliament.” For him, “we cannot rule the country from the streets”.
Fr Babu’s statement triggered a response from Fr Anand Mathew, IMS, director of Vishwa Jyoti Communications who sent a letter to the secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, calling on the Church to back Hazare.
“If the church is committed to be pro-people and pro-poor,” the letter said, “it needs to come out of its pro-establishment attitude and out of the comforts of its pro-rich institutions and stand with the masses on the streets. Otherwise the church will be condemned for its anti-people stand taken during this anti-corruption movement.”
“It is the right time for Christians of all denominations, priests and religious, those in formation for priesthood, students in the Church run educational institutions to support this movement. It is the right time for the Church to prove its patriotism and love for the people of the country and not for the ruling party of the country.”
In reality, the Church does not want to be dragged into the highly polarised political situation. For Card Oswald Gracias, “we must avoid at all cost extreme divisions.” Instead, “we must work together to end corruption in the country and solve the crisis.”
Yet, for Samuel Jaikumar, of the National Council of Christians in India (which includes Orthodox and Protestant Churches), we must take advantage of the fact that the bill is in parliament to force the government to come up with tougher legislation.
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See also
Anna Hazare arrest "totally unacceptable"
17/08/2011
17/08/2011
