New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Hours after veteran social activist Anna Hazare broke his fast for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill, prominent social activist Medha Patkar on Sunday termed it to be the first victory in the long process.
"I think it is not half the victory. It is the first victory in the long process, which the whole movement will have to pass through. This is the first victory in the sense that the crux of the matter was changing the relationship between the parliament and the people. And we have taken a big step along with the parliament, which also has taken a big step towards this end," Patkar told mediapersons here.
"I suppose this public debate on the enactment may be against corruption or against land acquisition or in favour of nuclear liability that is the most important thing that can change the character of the policies and laws in this country," she added.
Patkar, who came to the spotlight due to the central role played by her in spearheading the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) movement, further said: "And because human justice is above legal justice, everything cannot be attained through one single law. We all know this, Annaji has repeatedly said this. At the same time when we are not lawless citizens and we follow laws. But also we would like every law to be enacted against the constitution, against the fundamental rights, against the directive principles enshrined in the constitution. I suppose this law would also pass through that test."
"We believe that people, who are in this anti-corruption movement, wherever we are in bar associations, the movements of farmers, labourers, dalits, minorities, all together unsecure sector of workers. We all believe that this enactment, the draft form does not have anything that goes against the constitution not even appointment of Lokayuktas at the state level on the same model as Lokpal," she added.
Taking a dig at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre, Patkar said: "So, this whole system that seems to be independent of political interference, we believe is worth it. It can bring in enormous change, but the total revolution or transformation would require as Rahul Gandhiji also said appropriate laws related to land, forests, water, minerals, the natural resources in this country. Who stops the UPA from bringing new laws, which would really be pro-people?"
"They should repeal the land acquisition act and bring in the new law. And now this movement has gone in a way the diktat and so it may be. The people should be the first participants in the process of making laws and policies in this country. That should not be the right granted only to corporates and builders, and the politicians and bureaucrats, who are in nexus with them unfortunately," she added.
Responding to a question on whether the agitation will go on despite Hazare breaking his fast, Patkar said: "I am sorry to say, but Annaji himself took the decision. I think rightly so because looking at the overall situation, the minds of the people that is assessed by any leadership and looking to the forward steps, which includes presentations before the Standing Committee that should make the real impact and participation in that as well and reaching out to the political parties, the members of Parliament without any hesitation."
"Even in the case for those, who have not been in favour of a Jan Lokpal, but in favour of strong enactment against corruption. I think these are the tasks ahead and hence Annaji took the decision. And I think the whole committee has stood by him that at the moment there is no need to fight for the Ramlila Ground because we have got a bigger role in the polity and economy and the social strata of this country," she added.
When asked if nothing positive came out over the Jan Lokpal Bill, Patkar said: "That will be the worst situation when the fight will have to be taken to is peak. The core team will meet again this evening to chalk out a future plan."
After securing Parliament's nod on key elements of Jan Lokpal bill, Hazare broke his over 288 hour-long fast declaring that electoral reforms will be next on his agenda.
The 74-year-old social activist was driven straight to Medanta Medicity run by India's top cardiologist Dr Naresh Trehan, who was attending to him along with his team during his entire period of fast. He will stay in the hospital for two to three days. (ANI)
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