New Delhi/Haridwar: Difference of opinion has
cropped up among the civil society groups over the inclusion
of father-son lawyers duo Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan
in the committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who was one of the prominent
backers of the agitation, said in Haridwar why there was
nepotism in the committee of civil society.
"Why is there nepotism in there committee? Why both
father and son are accommodated in the committee"? he said.
Hazare, however, disagreed with him. At a press
conference in Delhi, he said "you can level any allegations
against me. I am a person who follows Gandhian principles.
Nothing wrong in having two members of the same family in the
panel. We need experience. We need expertise".
Another leading civil society activist Arvind
Kejriwal, who was a part of the protest, said "it is a
coincidence that they are father and son. But they are
experts, they are very experienced and independent lawyers".
Reacting to the comments, lawyer Prashant Bhushan
said "personally I wouldn't like to be in the panel. Ideally,
somebody else should be a member. Many people may have
objections to two members from the family being in the panel".
He said "being lawyers we were involved in drafting of
the Lokpal Bill. So, Anna (Hazare) made us members. As of now,
I am not withdrawing myself but if it comes to that I am
willing to withdraw myself".
Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare broke his fast this morning
after the government issued a notification on drafting the
Lokpal Bill.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 00:58