While Anna fights Govt, Culture Ministry lists him for Gandhi Prize

Two months after Anna Hazare brought the UPA government to its knees, the Ministry of Culture included his name in the list of probables for the 2011 Gandhi Peace Prize. But the Prime Minister’s Office has withheld the list and has sought more names.
“The list of nominees has not been sent to the jury as the PMO is unhappy with the present nominations and wants more names,” said a government official. Culture Minister Kumari Selja recently wrote to jury members seeking nominations for the prize.

This is the first time that the jury is being asked to send their choices as the code of procedure for the award says that former members of the jury, among others, were competent to send nominations.
Sushma Swaraj, a jury member because of her position as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, confirmed that she received the letter last week. “I got a letter from Selja saying that they have not received my nomination and that I should send it,” she said.
She was unaware of any list from the ministry or the fact that she was a jury member. “In that case, my sending a name would be a conflict of interest. I would be sending a name and deciding on it,” she said.
Shyam Benegal, noted filmmaker and Rajya Sabha MP, expressed similar consternation. “I have not been informed (of being a jury member). Selja’s note also came to me but I have no clue as to who should be nominated. I, really, am incapable of doing it considering it is given to world leaders. I can’t think of anybody of that stature.”
Interestingly, the ministry’s list, culled from nominations, had more than a dozen illustrious names besides Kisan Bapat Baburao Hazare, better known as Anna Hazare. It includes Nobel Peace prize winner Aung
San Suu Kyi, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh, agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan and the late singer Bhupen Hazarika, among others.
Selja and Culture Secretary Jawahar Sircar were not available for comment.
The official said that the proposal has been languishing in the PMO since end-October when it was sent by the ministry. The award is usually announced in November and conferred in January.
Other ‘competent persons’ who can suggest names are the past awardees, Members of Parliament, Nobel laureates, heads of international peace bodies, presidents, governors, vice chancellors and heads of Indian missions abroad, among others.
Once cleared, it goes to the jury which, this year, comprises Benegal and Infosys mentor N R Narayana Murthy besides three ex-officio permanent members — the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The International Gandhi Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi, was awarded annually until 2005. Launched in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian The award carries Rs 1 crore in cash, a plaque and a citation.

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Hazare failed to recognise workers’ contribution:

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday slammed social activist Anna Hazare for failing to acknowledge that its workers had played an “active role” in his nationwide crusade against corruption last year, though the Sangh itself was not part of the civil society agitation.

“It is a fact that the Sangh workers in individual capacity did play an active role in the anti-corruption crusade by the civil society headed by Hazare... It baffles me as to why the former did not acknowledge the fact,” RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told reporters.

Though the RSS had not directed its workers to join the civil society’s crusade on corruption, a large number of them did take an active part in the agitation throughout the country on their own volition, he said.

However, it baffled him when the Gandhian did not acknowledge the role of the Sangh workers in his anti-corruption movement when the Congress attacked Mr. Hazare for soliciting RSS support on corruption issue, Mr. Bhagwat said.

Mr. Bhagwat, however, clarified that the RSS was not part of the civil society agitation on the corruption issue even as it shared similar views and had adopted a resolution on the issue in March last year.

The RSS leader said that corruption in the political system could not be addressed merely by taking stringent action against corrupt public servants.

Other remedies like electoral reforms and making the system transparent and accountable should also be considered to usher in good governance in the country.

Mr. Bhagwat clarified that it was not the RSS’ decision to make Nitin Gadkari the BJP national president but it had merely played the role of a facilitator when senior BJP leaders had met him to find a replacement for Rajnath Singh after the debacle in the 2009 General Election.

“Some senior BJP leaders had called me to discuss the future of the party leadership following the debacle in the 2009 parliamentary polls... The names of a number of leaders were discussed for the BJP president’s post with Gadkari being among the names,” the RSS chief told reporters.

“It was the BJP leaders’ call to select Gadkari as the BJP president,” he said adding the Sangh had merely played the role of a facilitator.

The RSS flayed people giving communal colour to those accused being tried in terror cases and said that comments should be made only after charges against such persons could be proved in the courts first.

“There is no such thing as Hindu militants... prove the charges first before giving communal colour to terror cases accused,” the RSS Sarsanghchalak said.

He was responding to a question eliciting his stand on the accusations being made by critics linking the Samjhauta Express and Malegaon blast cases accused to upsurge of Hindu militancy.

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Anna may end 'maun vrat' soon

Ralegan Siddhi: Anna Hazare, who has been in 'silent mode' for the past fortnight since his team members got enmeshed in a series of controversies, may break his 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) in the next couple of days as he wants to hold "open discussions" with his supporters. The 74-year-old activist on Monday said he wants to start on a tour of different states after ending his fast and hopes to "gather energy" from his supporters to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed and then to fight for electoral reforms including 'Right to Reject' and 'Right to Recall'. "The thought of giving up on my 'maun vrat' is playing in my mind. In the next 3 to 4 days I might end my 'maun vrat'," Hazare said in his latest blog posting 'Straight from the Heart'. "Crores of people have turned to reading my blog all over the world hence I think it would only seem appropriate that I end my 'maun' and hold open discussions with them," he said. Hazare conveyed his intention to break his vow of silence a day after his key aides Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met him in Ralegan Siddhi and decided to write a Constitution for its anti-corruption movement and revamp the Core Committee after that. Four days ago, Hazare had said in his blog that his health still does not permit him to give up his vow as verbal communication was leaving him very weak. Hazare said he will also embark on a tour to meet all those young men and women, farmers, working class people and school children who were a part of this movement against corruption and "at times even went to jail for the sake of the cause"

Read more at: http://www.news24online.com/Anna-may-end-maun-vrat-soon_News24_35860.aspx
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Ralegan Siddhi: Anna Hazare, who has been in 'silent mode' for the past fortnight since his team members got enmeshed in a series of controversies, may break his 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) in the next couple of days as he wants to hold "open discussions" with his supporters. The 74-year-old activist on Monday said he wants to start on a tour of different states after ending his fast and hopes to "gather energy" from his supporters to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed and then to fight for electoral reforms including 'Right to Reject' and 'Right to Recall'. "The thought of giving up on my 'maun vrat' is playing in my mind. In the next 3 to 4 days I might end my 'maun vrat'," Hazare said in his latest blog posting 'Straight from the Heart'. "Crores of people have turned to reading my blog all over the world hence I think it would only seem appropriate that I end my 'maun' and hold open discussions with them," he said. Hazare conveyed his intention to break his vow of silence a day after his key aides Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met him in Ralegan Siddhi and decided to write a Constitution for its anti-corruption movement and revamp the Core Committee after that. Four days ago, Hazare had said in his blog that his health still does not permit him to give up his vow as verbal communication was leaving him very weak. Hazare said he will also embark on a tour to meet all those young men and women, farmers, working class people and school children who were a part of this movement against corruption and "at times even went to jail for the sake of the cause"

Read more at: http://www.news24online.com/Anna-may-end-maun-vrat-soon_News24_35860.aspx
Copyright © News24online.com

Ralegan Siddhi: Anna Hazare, who has been in 'silent mode' for the past fortnight since his team members got enmeshed in a series of controversies, may break his 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) in the next couple of days as he wants to hold "open discussions" with his supporters. The 74-year-old activist on Monday said he wants to start on a tour of different states after ending his fast and hopes to "gather energy" from his supporters to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed and then to fight for electoral reforms including 'Right to Reject' and 'Right to Recall'. "The thought of giving up on my 'maun vrat' is playing in my mind. In the next 3 to 4 days I might end my 'maun vrat'," Hazare said in his latest blog posting 'Straight from the Heart'. "Crores of people have turned to reading my blog all over the world hence I think it would only seem appropriate that I end my 'maun' and hold open discussions with them," he said. Hazare conveyed his intention to break his vow of silence a day after his key aides Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met him in Ralegan Siddhi and decided to write a Constitution for its anti-corruption movement and revamp the Core Committee after that. Four days ago, Hazare had said in his blog that his health still does not permit him to give up his vow as verbal communication was leaving him very weak. Hazare said he will also embark on a tour to meet all those young men and women, farmers, working class people and school children who were a part of this movement against corruption and "at times even went to jail for the sake of the cause".

Read more at: http://www.news24online.com/Anna-may-end-maun-vrat-soon_News24_35860.aspx
Copyright © News24online.com

Ralegan Siddhi: Anna Hazare, who has been in 'silent mode' for the past fortnight since his team members got enmeshed in a series of controversies, may break his 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) in the next couple of days as he wants to hold "open discussions" with his supporters. The 74-year-old activist on Monday said he wants to start on a tour of different states after ending his fast and hopes to "gather energy" from his supporters to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed and then to fight for electoral reforms including 'Right to Reject' and 'Right to Recall'. "The thought of giving up on my 'maun vrat' is playing in my mind. In the next 3 to 4 days I might end my 'maun vrat'," Hazare said in his latest blog posting 'Straight from the Heart'. "Crores of people have turned to reading my blog all over the world hence I think it would only seem appropriate that I end my 'maun' and hold open discussions with them," he said. Hazare conveyed his intention to break his vow of silence a day after his key aides Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met him in Ralegan Siddhi and decided to write a Constitution for its anti-corruption movement and revamp the Core Committee after that. Four days ago, Hazare had said in his blog that his health still does not permit him to give up his vow as verbal communication was leaving him very weak. Hazare said he will also embark on a tour to meet all those young men and women, farmers, working class people and school children who were a part of this movement against corruption and "at times even went to jail for the sake of the cause".

Read more at: http://www.news24online.com/Anna-may-end-maun-vrat-soon_News24_35860.aspx
Copyright © News24online.com

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India's hunger striker says ready to die for anti-graft cause

Indian anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Wednesday ruled out any compromise in his stand-off with the government over graft legislation, vowing to press on with a hunger strike now in its ninth day, even if it costs him his life.
With Hazare's health failing and thousands of supporters packed into the muddy open ground in New Delhi where he is staging his public fast, time was running out for the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to end the crisis.
Singh pleaded with the 74-year-old to at least agree to go on an intravenous drip, which Hazare has so far refused, and he called a meeting of political parties in parliament to find an end to the impasse.
Hazare's demand for more robust anti-graft laws has tapped into popular fury, particularly among the middle class, over the corruption that dogs Asia's third-largest economy, bringing tens of thousands onto streets across the country in the biggest social protests since the 1970s.
"I've only lost six kilos and a bit of my kidney is affected, but it is nothing to worry about," said the self-styled Gandhian activist, addressing his admirers in the Ramlila field just outside the walled city of old Delhi.
"Until the government agrees to all conditions, I will not back down. Even if I have to die."
The government has begun to offer concessions over tougher anti-corruption laws, but a deal has remained elusive.
"Over the last few days, I have watched with increasing concern the state of your health," Singh wrote in a letter to Hazare that was published by his office. "At worst, our paths and methodologies may differ, though I do believe that even those differences have been exaggerated."
Despite the throng of supporters at Ramlila, criticism of Hazare's unyielding stand has mounted steadily, with prominent social activists, intellectuals and politicians calling on him and his movement to come to a compromise.
Hazare's protests earlier this year prompted the government to introduce an anti-graft bill in parliament in August, but he and his supporters have slammed the draft law as toothless.
Hazare's movement wants the draft bill withdrawn and their own version -- which would create an autonomous anti-corruption agency -- to be passed by the end of this month, a demand senior government figures say is unrealistic.
HEALTH CONCERNS MOUNT
Hazare's deteriorating health could force the government to decide on force-feeding him, a move that would risk sparking further protests against a fumbling government of elderly ministers widely seen as out of touch.
"Today is a very crucial day for the movement as his health is critical. Some concrete decision has to take place in the next few days or this movement may turn violent if something happens to him. We hope he breaks his fast in the next two days," said 26-year-old IT graduate Raj Aryan.
Hazare has rejected doctors' advice to go to hospital or take an intravenous drip.
"If anyone from the government comes to take me away forcibly, then block the gates. I will not go," Hazare told his supporters late on Tuesday. He has remained lying or sitting on a public stage in the open for most of the day. He sleeps for a few hours in a small cordoned-off area during the night.
With key state elections due next year in the run-up to a general election in 2014, Singh is under pressure to end a crisis that has paralyzed policy making and parliament and added to his unpopularity amid high inflation and a run of corruption scandals.
Many of India's fast-growing urban middle class have joined forces with Hazare to protest against a system that requires bribes for everything from driver's licenses to birth certificates and has allowed politicians and businessmen to cream off millions of dollars through shady deals.
Several scandals linked to the government, including a telecoms bribery scam that may have cost the government up to $39 billion, led to Hazare's latest protest.
The activist, who has carried out scores of hunger strikes over the last few decades to pressure governments, has since been visited by Hindu gurus, former judges and Bollywood actors. But he has refused to have any politicians on his stage.
As his fast entered its ninth day, the sentiment inside Ramlila ground remained jubilant. Thousands of people were again gathered in the grounds, large parts of which were waterlogged and muddy after overnight rain.
The main opposition, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is organizing a nationwide protest against the government on Thursday as it seeks to gain influence over what has essentially been a protest driven by the urban middle class.
Hazare was briefly jailed last week, a move the government tried to reverse quietly. But he remained voluntarily in prison until the government allowed him to continue his vigil, in public, for 15 days, and finally emerged last Friday to huge cheers from a triumphant crowd.

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Anna Hazare writes to Sonia Gandhi about Sibal, Digvijaya

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare, who successfully led a people's campaign against corruption this month, has written a strong letter to Sonia Gandhi severely criticising top Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Kapil Sibal and suggesting that she advice them "not to derail the process (of drafting a Jan Lok Pal Bill to address the issue of corruption)."

At the core of Anna's letter is the CD controversy involving eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan and a purported conversation between Mr Bhushan and Samajwadi Party leaders. In the letter, Mr Hazare has said the "fabricated CD" is an attempt to tarnish reputations with the objective to divert attention from the Lokpal Bill. And to do this,
he says, "corrupt forces have united..."
Last week, media offices in Delhi received CDs delivered anonymously. These CDs are of a phone conversation purportedly between Mr Bhushan, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Amar Singh, who was a senior Samajwadi Party leader himself till a high-volume falling out with Mr Yadav. On Monday, Shanti Bhushan, who is co-chair of the newly-formed 10-member joint panel, moved Supreme Court seeking criminal contempt action against Amar Singh, accusing him of "fabricating the CD."
In his letter Anna apparently refers to Digvijaya Singh saying, "One of the General Secretaries of Congress Party has been making many statements in the press in the last one week. I assume that he has the support of the party to make such remarks. Most of these statements are factually wrong, which makes one believe whether his only intention is to create confusion, mislead people and derail the ongoing discussions in joint committee.

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