Hazare will be ‘flexible’,Lokpal Bill won’t touch higher judiciary

The legislation,which would come up for discussion on Saturday in the Committee chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee,should cover only the lower judiciary,Hazare said.

“The representatives (of civil society) are all legal experts. They have a very long experience. On the aspect of flexibility,it will be shown at the time of discussion,” he said in response to concerns that the “Jan Lokpal” envisaged by him would cover even the Supreme Court.

Under attack for perceived support to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,Hazare said that he never supported any communal or divisive politics and accused “political and criminal” forces of trying to dilute his movement against corruption.

Maintaining that he had only praised the development work of Modi and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar,Hazare said: “My remarks were misunderstood by some people. I have never supported any communal politics or politics of divide.”

He charged political and criminal forces with trying to dilute his nationwide movement against corruption because they were afraid of the huge support of the common man to the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Such forces,who he did not identify,were trying to create confusion and defame the movement,the Gandhian said.

To a question whether he was the second Mahatma Gandhi,Hazar said: “I don’t deserve even a seat at the feet of Mahatma. He was a very powerful influence in my life.”

On the demand for video graphing the proceedings of the Committee,which will have four other Cabinet ministers besides Mukherjee,Hazare said government is people’s servant and its functioning should be totally transparent.

“If somebody is opposed to video graphing of the proceedings then it means that his conscience is not not clear. People have a right know the proceedings of the drafting of the Bill. That is why I am supporting the video graphing of the proceedings,” he said.

Asked about concerns that what he and his supporters were doing would usurp the duties of Parliamentarians and Parliament,Hazare said it was a misunderstanding of their role.

“MPs are servants of the people. They are sent to Parliament to manage the coffers and make laws for the welfare of the society. In the last 42 years Lok Pal Bill could not not be passed. Eight times it had failed. Now now it is right of the people to launch an agitation to get it passed.” He also dismissed fears that the Lok Pal institution proposed by the civil society would become an “uncontrollable monster”.

“The Lok Pal and other members would be chosen by a high-level committee in a very transparent manner by people of highest integrity,” he said adding if any member of the Lok Pal is found at fault he would be removed in one month.

Asked about his threat to relaunch his agitation in case the bill is not not passed by Parliament by Aug 15,Hazare said there would not not be any delay as June 30 is the deadline for its drafting.

On criticism over his reported remarks against political leaders,the social activist said that he never said that all politicians in India were corrupt.

“There are very few exceptions at all levels. But those exceptions can be honoured only if they too raise their voice against known corruption in their close circles.

“Keeping mum on issues related to corruption is also silent support to corruption and such leaders who fall in that category are actually of no use for nation,” he said.

Hazare faced flak,especially from NCP,over his criticism of political leaders and some voters.

He said,”Political parties and leaders are responsible for maligning the voters’ character in this country. They usually earn lot of black money using power and distribute alittle amount of it to voters in elections to grab sympathy for their corrupt practises.

“Is it possible today for candidates who are meritorious and possess good moral character and commitment to win an election without huge amount of black money.”

To a question on Union Minister Sharad Pawar,Hazare said “I have nothing against Pawar as an individual but I am against the tendency he represents.

He expressed his gratitude to the common man as well as NGOs for their involvement in the movement against corruption.