New Delhi: South Asia Bar Association Minorities (SAML) today called on the government and civil society groups to give equal importance to the fight against communalism that has been granted against corruption. In a resolution adopted at the debate entitled "Corruption, Lok Pal and the rule of law," the SAMLA urged all concerned to use a consensus against corruption to find an effective solution to the problem, both at central and state without defaming and denigrating personalities.
Speaking at the debate, Salman Khurshid, Minister for Minority Affairs and member of the committee bill set for Lok Pal expressed confidence that the committee could prepare a draft acceptable to all. He reiterated that the Union government has pledged to fight corruption and to reach a consensus on the Lok Pal Bill.
Eminent filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said it was deep anger against corruption among the public and Anna Hazare was able to expand that anger. He said the fight against corruption can not succeed unless the issue of communalism was given the same importance.
Eminent journalist Vidya Subramanium said that India had witnessed two movements fighting against corruption in 1974 and 1989 JP under VP Singh, but gave no place to check corruption and that these movements lack of ideological direction. He stressed that the fight against corruption should not try to vitiate the atmosphere against politicians and personalities to open discussion that could be done on the subject.
Professor Afzal Wani, a professor of law at Indraprastha University, said a major factor behind the prevalence of corruption in the country was our failure to become a society that lives by the values given by the Constitution. He said that there was a need to develop a doctrine of separation of functions instead of the separation of powers.
Prominent human rights activist and lawyer Ashok Agrawal said Anna Hazare was a symbol of deep anger of society against corruption. He said his views on Narendra Modi were significant. He said the expression of popular anger against the problems that affect the lives of citizens are legitimate and should be encouraged to strengthen democracy. Deplored the restrictions on public places, especially the prohibition of demonstrations in Boat Club and said such actions by successive governments were directed to limit the popular expression and movement towards a "regulated democracy."
Navaid Hamid, member of National Integration Council, said that the decoupling of the issue of corruption in the fight against communalism had given impetus to the communal forces in the country. He cited the JP movement and the movement VP Singh as examples of such dangers. He said combating communalism should be an integral part of the fight against corruption.
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, president of All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat, supported the movement against corruption and said the fight must be carried to its logical conclusion by attacking corruption and other forms of discrimination, communalism, etc. He said the government must ensure that the institution of Lok Pal was free and independent. He said: "We must strive to understand the true democracy in the country where all citizens can enjoy equality, dignity and freedom."
Speaking at the debate, Salman Khurshid, Minister for Minority Affairs and member of the committee bill set for Lok Pal expressed confidence that the committee could prepare a draft acceptable to all. He reiterated that the Union government has pledged to fight corruption and to reach a consensus on the Lok Pal Bill.
Eminent filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said it was deep anger against corruption among the public and Anna Hazare was able to expand that anger. He said the fight against corruption can not succeed unless the issue of communalism was given the same importance.
Eminent journalist Vidya Subramanium said that India had witnessed two movements fighting against corruption in 1974 and 1989 JP under VP Singh, but gave no place to check corruption and that these movements lack of ideological direction. He stressed that the fight against corruption should not try to vitiate the atmosphere against politicians and personalities to open discussion that could be done on the subject.
Professor Afzal Wani, a professor of law at Indraprastha University, said a major factor behind the prevalence of corruption in the country was our failure to become a society that lives by the values given by the Constitution. He said that there was a need to develop a doctrine of separation of functions instead of the separation of powers.
Prominent human rights activist and lawyer Ashok Agrawal said Anna Hazare was a symbol of deep anger of society against corruption. He said his views on Narendra Modi were significant. He said the expression of popular anger against the problems that affect the lives of citizens are legitimate and should be encouraged to strengthen democracy. Deplored the restrictions on public places, especially the prohibition of demonstrations in Boat Club and said such actions by successive governments were directed to limit the popular expression and movement towards a "regulated democracy."
Navaid Hamid, member of National Integration Council, said that the decoupling of the issue of corruption in the fight against communalism had given impetus to the communal forces in the country. He cited the JP movement and the movement VP Singh as examples of such dangers. He said combating communalism should be an integral part of the fight against corruption.
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, president of All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat, supported the movement against corruption and said the fight must be carried to its logical conclusion by attacking corruption and other forms of discrimination, communalism, etc. He said the government must ensure that the institution of Lok Pal was free and independent. He said: "We must strive to understand the true democracy in the country where all citizens can enjoy equality, dignity and freedom."
