Disappointed with Modi, Lokpal crusader Anna threatens stir in Delhi

In a biting letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, social activist Anna Hazare slammed the NDA government for delaying appointment of Lokpal at the Centre. Expressing his severe disappointment with the Modi-led government, the Lokpal crusader threatened agitation in New Delhi.

“The date of the agitation will be announced in the next letter,” wrote Anna Hazare.

“It has been six years of a historical movement that dreamed of a corruption-free India. But even after six years, the government has not drafted a definitive law to end corruption,” said Hazare in his letter.

“After Lokpal movement, people of this country elected you with a great hope. New government needs time to act up on pending issues. Thinking that I have written you many letters as reminders in last three years but you neither have written back to me nor acted up on my suggestions. You did not mention the issue for once in Man Ki Bat,” he added.

The veteran social activist of the 2011 India Against Corruption movement has also asked for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report also. Demanding appointment of Lokpal (ombudsman) at the Centre, and a Lokayukta in every state, Hazare said that Citizen’s Charter on ending corruption be adopted by the government.

It is important to note that in March this year also, Hazare has written a letter to Modi and conveyed his decision to hold a Lokpal protest in Delhi. He said that the government’s assurance to end corruption has not translated into the reality.

“My protest will be against Modi government’s apathy in appointing a Lokpal,” he wrote.

Demanding a strong Jan Lokpal bill, in April 2011, Anna Hazare had begun his hunger strike. Arvind Kejriwal, Baba Ramdev, and Kiran Bedi were part of this team then.

The India Against Corruption movement is widely regarded as a reason for the humiliating defeat of the Congress-led UPA government in 2014 general election. Political observers feel that riding the wave of popular anger against the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, BJP rose to the power but later abandoned the cause.

Owing to a massive public pressure, the Congress-led government passed the Lokpal Act in 2013 with several amendments. However, four years later, including three years of BJP rule, the Act remained ignored. The Modi-led BJP, which was at the forefront to demand a strong Lokpal bill, has remained silent on the issue ever since the party came to power.