It is unfortunate that a pro-India initiative led by Shri Anna Hazare
is being treated with hostility. The refusal of permission for a
public demonstration in the capital is indicative of  an elected
government's readiness to wage war with its own electorate over the
Lokpal institution.

Perhaps it needs reminding that the elected are responsible to those
who have elected them. Parliamentarians and the government represent
the people not rule them.  Public policy is required to evolve from
public participation and be open to public scrutiny, not be imposed by
force and shielded by secrecy.

In a democracy, peaceful protest is not stifled  and peaceful
protestors are not assaulted or intimidated, legitimate demands that
enjoy public support are not ignored , ridiculed and rejected. Is our
official approach to our voters more reflective of an autocracy than a
democracy?

In the current  corruption-ridden climate which indicts the government
daily,  what is the popular yearning? We want an accountable system.
An objective , independent authority vested with the power to  examine
and punish corruption at every level is one step towards this. It does
not challenge democracy, it challenges criminality and strengthens
democracy. If the Prime Minister’s post carries the greatest weight,
it is only natural that it be subject to the severest scrutiny.

Current institutions like the CBI have been corroded by misuse. We
have ceased to be shocked by scams running into 170,000 crores. We see
denials and Committees that come and go without offenders being
punished or any money being returned to the public coffer.

It is time for change. Today we have the opportunity to create a
strong, meaningful institution, or yet another self serving farce.
Here we have the Jan Lokpal Bill which seeks accountability at the
Centre from the Prime Minister downwards,  a uniform set of principles
for all the States, and insulates the office from political pulls and
pressures. On the other hand, we have the official Lokpal Bill that
not only excludes the most powerful from its purview, does not lay
down a uniform moral code for the whole country,  but also threatens
greater action against the accuser than the accused!

Anna Hazare is not just a man, he is a movement, a way towards
honesty and accountability, a way towards a clean and prosperous India.

To the young people of this nation and to my fellow parliamentarians,
I say it is time to stand up and be counted.

If the government does not offer a public place for Shri Anna Hazare's
fast, I am proud to offer him my house and official residence as MP
and I hope he will avail of the offer.