MUKESH BHARDWAJ: You took the responsibility of cleaning Kali Bein and succeeded. The same way, politics is also dirty, do you have any plans to foray into politics and then clean itsimilarly?
Baba Seechewal: Politics is one field that requires no qualification. Every Tom, Dick and Harry can enter the field. Money plays a big role in elections. All parties should be brought on track and only responsible persons should be given tickets. We would like all parties to include issues relating to environment in their manifesto. I shall, however, like to carry on the job which I have undertaken.

RAJNI SHALEEN CHOPRA: Since you have brought visible changes in environment, why don’t you do the same for politics?
Baba Seechewal: My aim is social service. Politics is not my aim. I am contented doing social work. The leaders of our country are not playing the part they are supposed to for preservation of environment. There is an immediate need for people to feel concerned about these causes. Making them realise that the real power to change is vested in them has become vital.

VIPIN PUBBY: With elections around the corner, what is your appeal to the electorate?
Baba Seechewal: People should elect only those leaders who are concerned about issues such as preservation of environment, provision of clean water, eradication of the menace of drugs and those who would genuinely work for the development of education and infrastructure.

VANDANA SHARMA: What is the extent of damage to environment in Punjab?
Baba Seechewal: Punjab, the land of the gurus, was once known for its purity of environment, thought and action. And now the very elixir of life, water, has been polluted with poison with so many industries discharging harmful chemicals in rivers. Take the case of Kala Singha drain. The water is as good as poison and people have no choice but to consume it. Deaths due to polluted water have become commonplace. The judiciary as well as the administration have become apathetic. While the government chooses to turn a blind eye, if one goes to court, it only delays the matter. PILs as old as five years are pending in courts. There is no compensation for the family of the deceased. No one is bothered. Someone has to rise and take stock of the situation. We are doing that. If someone is murdered or attacked, the culprit is charged under IPC Section 302 or 307. Industries, too, are killing people through pollutants and are responsible for the effects of such pollution. Why are not they held accountable for the mass murders? They should be made to pay for causing health hazards and even deaths.

... contd.