Lokpal Bill – A whip to control corruption
Source: By M.S. QAIS: The Echo of India
Lokpal Bill is called Jokepal Bill by Arvind Kejriwal, the person whose Aam Aadmi Party jumped into the arena of political wrestling and, surprisingly enough achieved unexpected result in his debut election-fight.
But, it must not be taken seriously of what Kejriwal spoke of the mentioned bill. It is the same Kejriwal who proved a nuclear force behind the agitation started by Anna Hazare. It is because of surfacing of some misunderstanding in connection with the text of the bill that Kejriwal labeled the bill in this way. With whatever term the bill may be called, it is not, in any way, a small feat to be achieved.
Lokpal Bill, initiated, championed and advocated by Anna Hazare, is passed after prolonged discussions among the parliamentarians in both houses of Parliament on 18th of the last month of the year 2013. Anna Hazare expressed his jubilation and broke his fast which he was observing for the last more than a week.
Now it is to be seen how long it will take for the legislation to be passed into low and the same to be enforced. Hazare speaks of a ‘watchdog’ panel to oversee the bill’s enforcement. He also talks about setting up ‘watchdog’ committees not only in the centre but at the state and district levels comprising retired judges, former police officials and prominent citizens to monitor the law implementation. It is so good, no doubt.
Undoubtedly, the Bill will not eliminate corruption totally all of a sudden, but can certainly curb it by about fifty percent if implemented with utmost honesty. It is a matter of great pleasure that for the first time in 66 years - a law is set to be made that would impose some brakes on corruption. It is not wrong to say that the Lokpal bill would function like a ‘Supreme Court’ in corruption cases. The CBI would no longer be a caged parrot but a free bird. This ‘caged parrot’ allusion refers to the apex court’s observation in the coal block probe, that the agency was a ‘caged parrot’.
However, we must look forward having optimistic notion about the effectiveness of the Lokpal bill. One must hope of reaping good harvest provided it is allowed to function freely and honestly. Law in itself is not bad and is always framed with good intention. It is, undoubtedly, some rogue and unscrupulous elements among the politicians and administrators who fight tooth and nail to obstruct the smooth functioning of laws.
Secondly, and more importantly, it must be admitted by all right-thinking persons that this bill is opening a new dimension of our democratic structures which we shall have to address. What assumes the character of greater importance is the implementation of the law once the same is framed.
We do not lack in having laws; but we certainly lack in projecting selfless and genuine spirit to put these laws on the practical wheels which are oiled, activated and run by scrupulous, diligent, zealous and conscientious drivers/administrators. Machines are important, no doubt, but more important are the men behind the machines. This must not be forgotten. Framing of laws is not enough; it will itself not bring about any desirable and significant change in the society. It is not like a ‘Jadu ki Chadhi’ or ‘Aladdin’s magic-lantern’ or magic wand to produce results all of a sudden and solve all the problems with the twinkling of an eye. Social transformation is possible only when laws are implemented and implemented effectively with good intention, for the good of the people.
Nobody could have even guessed a decade ago that activists would demand a legislation which, ultimately, would see the light of the day. Nobody could have thought that Kejriwal, the ardent supporter of and taking his root to Hajare’s Lokpal movement, would prove such mass-driven force which will change the face of politics.
No one will deny the truth that it is a new beginning in Indian politics. For the last several decades corruption has been eating in the soul of Indian people – from high to low, from educated class to illiterate, from law framers to law breakers, from justice deliverers (judges) to justice seekers, from teachers to students, all are deeply involved and affected by corruption. Even the religious leaders are not spared. Who is unaware of the name of Asaram, the recent acclaimed cheat, who dirtied and muddied the name of humanity under the cloak of a saint?
However, my topic of discussion is Lokpal bill, not Asaram. I must, therefore, turn to the point. Complexities are, no doubt, bound to arise if Kejriwal focuses on digging up corruption cases against political leaders, for instance former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her relatives and aides. The internal dynamics of the Delhi Congress too would come into play then. What is needed here is to exhibit utmost political acumen by Kejriwal and his company.
In the concluding paragraph, I quote an English couplet which befits the occasion: “And trembling, shrinking from the spoiler’s hand / Far, far away thy children leave the land / Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey / Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
Lokpal Bill is called Jokepal Bill by Arvind Kejriwal, the person whose Aam Aadmi Party jumped into the arena of political wrestling and, surprisingly enough achieved unexpected result in his debut election-fight.
But, it must not be taken seriously of what Kejriwal spoke of the mentioned bill. It is the same Kejriwal who proved a nuclear force behind the agitation started by Anna Hazare. It is because of surfacing of some misunderstanding in connection with the text of the bill that Kejriwal labeled the bill in this way. With whatever term the bill may be called, it is not, in any way, a small feat to be achieved.
Lokpal Bill, initiated, championed and advocated by Anna Hazare, is passed after prolonged discussions among the parliamentarians in both houses of Parliament on 18th of the last month of the year 2013. Anna Hazare expressed his jubilation and broke his fast which he was observing for the last more than a week.
Now it is to be seen how long it will take for the legislation to be passed into low and the same to be enforced. Hazare speaks of a ‘watchdog’ panel to oversee the bill’s enforcement. He also talks about setting up ‘watchdog’ committees not only in the centre but at the state and district levels comprising retired judges, former police officials and prominent citizens to monitor the law implementation. It is so good, no doubt.
Undoubtedly, the Bill will not eliminate corruption totally all of a sudden, but can certainly curb it by about fifty percent if implemented with utmost honesty. It is a matter of great pleasure that for the first time in 66 years - a law is set to be made that would impose some brakes on corruption. It is not wrong to say that the Lokpal bill would function like a ‘Supreme Court’ in corruption cases. The CBI would no longer be a caged parrot but a free bird. This ‘caged parrot’ allusion refers to the apex court’s observation in the coal block probe, that the agency was a ‘caged parrot’.
However, we must look forward having optimistic notion about the effectiveness of the Lokpal bill. One must hope of reaping good harvest provided it is allowed to function freely and honestly. Law in itself is not bad and is always framed with good intention. It is, undoubtedly, some rogue and unscrupulous elements among the politicians and administrators who fight tooth and nail to obstruct the smooth functioning of laws.
Secondly, and more importantly, it must be admitted by all right-thinking persons that this bill is opening a new dimension of our democratic structures which we shall have to address. What assumes the character of greater importance is the implementation of the law once the same is framed.
We do not lack in having laws; but we certainly lack in projecting selfless and genuine spirit to put these laws on the practical wheels which are oiled, activated and run by scrupulous, diligent, zealous and conscientious drivers/administrators. Machines are important, no doubt, but more important are the men behind the machines. This must not be forgotten. Framing of laws is not enough; it will itself not bring about any desirable and significant change in the society. It is not like a ‘Jadu ki Chadhi’ or ‘Aladdin’s magic-lantern’ or magic wand to produce results all of a sudden and solve all the problems with the twinkling of an eye. Social transformation is possible only when laws are implemented and implemented effectively with good intention, for the good of the people.
Nobody could have even guessed a decade ago that activists would demand a legislation which, ultimately, would see the light of the day. Nobody could have thought that Kejriwal, the ardent supporter of and taking his root to Hajare’s Lokpal movement, would prove such mass-driven force which will change the face of politics.
No one will deny the truth that it is a new beginning in Indian politics. For the last several decades corruption has been eating in the soul of Indian people – from high to low, from educated class to illiterate, from law framers to law breakers, from justice deliverers (judges) to justice seekers, from teachers to students, all are deeply involved and affected by corruption. Even the religious leaders are not spared. Who is unaware of the name of Asaram, the recent acclaimed cheat, who dirtied and muddied the name of humanity under the cloak of a saint?
However, my topic of discussion is Lokpal bill, not Asaram. I must, therefore, turn to the point. Complexities are, no doubt, bound to arise if Kejriwal focuses on digging up corruption cases against political leaders, for instance former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her relatives and aides. The internal dynamics of the Delhi Congress too would come into play then. What is needed here is to exhibit utmost political acumen by Kejriwal and his company.
In the concluding paragraph, I quote an English couplet which befits the occasion: “And trembling, shrinking from the spoiler’s hand / Far, far away thy children leave the land / Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey / Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
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