IS THIS A NEW REVOLUTION?
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IS THIS A NEW REVOLUTION?

After the claim of Total revolution by late Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan in late seventies which resulted in internal Emergency being declared in India by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and some old faithfuls called Young turks leaving the party, a new war cry has now come. Following the fast of Anna Hazare for civil society particiaption in drafing of a comprehensive Lok Pal bill to cover corruption in high places, media and people are agog with the set of new revolution like the ones in countries like Egypt, Syria Tunisia and elsewhere. No doubt the fast had its effect with the Government trying to accomodate views of civil society in drafting the legislation even though it is the preregative of the Government to draft legislations. But who forms this civil soceity is the question that needs an honest answer. Shanthi and Prashant Bhushans who have declared wealth running in to hundreds of crores of rupees andwho are now embroiled in a CD controversy involving Amarsingh and Mulayam Singh about fixing Judges. This is seen as an attempt to browbeat the members of the panel.

The accountability and moral standards expected of politicians are also applicable to panel members who just can not claim immunity from demands for transparency. Justice Santhosh Hegde has also taken offence to such criticism of the so called civil society. It appears to me that this a blatant attempt to usurp the powers of legislature constitutionally envisaged in the democracy by rich and affulent who can not rule the country otherwise. Civil society groups does not have any members from the poorest and marginalised sections of our population including dalits and minorities. Few wealthy lawyers, ex bureacrats can not claim to respresent the entire civil society. Except Anna Hazareand prehaps Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi the other members have vested interests in the battle against the political class which are nevertheless mandated to rule the country by the people of India.  Such a Civil Society group can infact submit their views about the scope of the Lok Pal Bill its constitution and remedial measures, appellate powers etc but can not dictate to the legislature because that will become a mockery of democracy. The Civil society group is more interested in the welfare of the affluent when we saw Supreme Court ordering demolition of unauthorised DDA constructions in places meant for elitists morning walk little bothering to re settle those poor people who have been making a living. the right to live with dignity was compromised for the welfare of the few rich. Supreme Court of India orders public transport to use green fuel in the city of Delhi while condemning the rest of India to live with pollution.

The recent trend of judicial activism and civil society onslaught on the government bodes ill for democracy. As CJI pointed out Judges should not arrogate to themselves the power to make laws which is in the realm of Legislature.

 

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