Washington: A group of Indian-Americans has
urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to meet the demands of
social activist Anna Hazare by himself tabling the Jan Lokpal
Bill in the parliament.
"We hope you will take the call and retain the faith
in parliament by yourself going ahead with tabling the
Janlokpal bill to end the deadlock. Whatever decisions you
make today will be remembered in our history for generations
to come," said a petition submitted to him at the Indian
Embassy here.
Holding their protest in support of Hazare for the sixth
consecutive day, the group, including students from
universities in and around Washington said corruption is the
greatest hurdle in the progress of India.
"Since decades we have seen scandals after scandals,
but no politician was ever punished or held accountable," they
said, "Anti-corruption activist Shri Anna Hazare has
entered sixth day of his 'anshan' and there is still a
deadlock between the government and the civil society members.
There have been no positive developments in the past few
days."
"We along with Anna are quite clear what we want,
but the government is still confused. Strong 'political will'
to fight corruption is the need of the hour.
Government must come clean on its intentions and at
least table the Jan Lokpal bill in the parliament. We do have
faith in our parliamentary system and are proud of our vibrant
democracy, so what's the harm in at least tabling the bill?
What's there in it for the government to lose?" the petition
said.
"This movement has moved beyond Anna and Jan Lokpal
Bill. Middle class is rallying there for a cause which has
been bothering them for decades. By placing a toothless bill,
government 'intent' is exposed.
For days to come, we have to keep our finger crossed as a
new history is in making!" said Vibhash Jha, a PhD student at
the University of Maryland.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 22, 2011, 08:34