April 08, 2011:
A major break through achieved in the five day deadlock between the Govt. of India and the band of activists/ citizens led by veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare on a fast unto death to make the Jan Lokpal bill (anti-corruption bill) a reality.
News has just a few minutes back come in, that Govt of India has conceded completely to most of the latter's demands, sending out a wave of euphoria all over the country. Crowds were seen screaming 'Anna Hazare Zindabad.' Anna flashed a victory sign showing his approval.
After the third and final round of talks this was the consensus reached between the Govt.'s chief negotiator led by Kapil Sibal, Telecom Minister, and Hazare spokespersons / activists Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh.
The highlights of this historic agreement are as follows:
1. Govt. has agreed to a panel of 50:50 ratio compositions of members equally between the govt. ministers and civil society activists on the other.
2. Govt. has agreed to have a Co-Chairman in addition to a Chairman in the said panel.
3. Panel to have the Govt. Minister Pranab Mukherjee as Chairman.
4. Govt. has agreed to issue an order on the panel.
5. Shanti Bhushan, eminent lawyer to be the Co-Chairman of the proposed joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill.
6. The draft of the Lokpal Bill will be formally notified soon.
Anna Hazare sporting a broad smile told the huge gathering that he dedicated this victory to the people of the country. "It's a victory of the people of India," he declared. Further he added "Govt agreed (to our conditions) so only I (too) agreed."
Anna will be breaking his fast tomorrow at 10 am by having his breakfast. His first in 85 hours. However Swami Agnivesh speaking on Anna's behalf made it clear that Anna will only break his fast once he receives the Govt.'s order on the panel in hand and not before that, as it is his commitment to the nation.
Meanwhile Kapil Sibal speaking on behalf of Govt. said he was delighted that a consensus had been reached between civil society and govt. "In this fight against corruption, government and civil society is on the same page," he declared smiling broadly, at the resolution of the issue, agreeable to both sides. He even thanked the large-heartedness of the PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi for their initiative.
The newly constituted joint panel will now go on to draft a comprehensive Jan Lokpal bill which when it becomes a law, will tackle corruption at all levels right from the Prime Minister to the lowest level of the citizens.
Indeed a victory for the citizen power in India which had come out in lakhs all over the country to support Anna Hazare, in his crusade against corruption. This revolution is the first in India after so long and has been aptly called a victory of Anna'Giri,' after the 'Father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi's crusade called ‘Gandhigiri.'
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