Where is the Lokpal, Hazare asks Modi govt
Centre has failed to fulfil pre-poll promise; activist complains about poor media coverage
Social activist Anna Hazare, who is back at the Ramlila ground in the Capital after seven years for an indefinite hunger strike, on Sunday targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for failing to fulfil promises to appoint Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States.
Mr. Hazare, who began his hunger strike on March 23, said the Central government had also not honoured its pre-poll promise to implement the Swaminathan Commission report, which had suggested ways to address the farmers’ distress.
“The Modi-led government had promised to bring back black money within 30 days, if it came to power. Four years have passed and we are yet to see any action. Instead, country’s white money is going to foreign nations,” Mr. Hazare said.
During the day, four of the 227 supporters on hunger strike were taken to hospital after their heath deteriorated. Mr. Hazare too has lost 3.6 kg since he began the hunger strike.
‘Poor media coverage’
Mr. Hazare complained that media had not been giving his ‘Jan Andolan Satyagraha’ similar coverage as it did during his 2011 anti-corruption movement. This he said was one of the reasons for the poor turnout of supporters at the demonstration. “Media has not been covering us. Last time [in 2011] there were seven cameras at all time, but this time there is only one,” Mr. Hazare said blaming some external forces behind it.
When asked what the external forces were, Mr Hazare quipped, “samajdaron ko issara kafi hai [a gesture is more than enough for the wise]”.
Mr. Hazare has also demanded for a better electoral process. In the third demand of “Saksham Kisan, Sashakt Lokpal, Chunaav Sudhaar”, the activist had said that electoral process should be made better with NOTA being given the status of ‘Right To Reject’ and totaliser machines should be used for counting votes.
One of the organisers at the demonstration said Delhi Police has installed CCTV cameras around Mr. Hazare and has even set up a control room next to his dais.
But, Mr. Hazare said he didn’t need a large number of police forces surrounding his demonstration. “People who come from villages get scared seeing so many policemen around,” he said.
Social activist Anna Hazare, who is back at the Ramlila ground in the Capital after seven years for an indefinite hunger strike, on Sunday targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for failing to fulfil promises to appoint Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States.
Mr. Hazare, who began his hunger strike on March 23, said the Central government had also not honoured its pre-poll promise to implement the Swaminathan Commission report, which had suggested ways to address the farmers’ distress.
“The Modi-led government had promised to bring back black money within 30 days, if it came to power. Four years have passed and we are yet to see any action. Instead, country’s white money is going to foreign nations,” Mr. Hazare said.
During the day, four of the 227 supporters on hunger strike were taken to hospital after their heath deteriorated. Mr. Hazare too has lost 3.6 kg since he began the hunger strike.
‘Poor media coverage’
Mr. Hazare complained that media had not been giving his ‘Jan Andolan Satyagraha’ similar coverage as it did during his 2011 anti-corruption movement. This he said was one of the reasons for the poor turnout of supporters at the demonstration. “Media has not been covering us. Last time [in 2011] there were seven cameras at all time, but this time there is only one,” Mr. Hazare said blaming some external forces behind it.
When asked what the external forces were, Mr Hazare quipped, “samajdaron ko issara kafi hai [a gesture is more than enough for the wise]”.
Mr. Hazare has also demanded for a better electoral process. In the third demand of “Saksham Kisan, Sashakt Lokpal, Chunaav Sudhaar”, the activist had said that electoral process should be made better with NOTA being given the status of ‘Right To Reject’ and totaliser machines should be used for counting votes.
One of the organisers at the demonstration said Delhi Police has installed CCTV cameras around Mr. Hazare and has even set up a control room next to his dais.
But, Mr. Hazare said he didn’t need a large number of police forces surrounding his demonstration. “People who come from villages get scared seeing so many policemen around,” he said.