SEPTEMBER 2014: ABOUT ARVIND KEJRIWAL:7 TH CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI A RETROSPECTION: IN OFFICE: 28 DECEMBER 2013 – 14 FEBRUARY 2014 PRECEDED BY SHEILA DIKSHIT SUCCEEDED by PRESIDENTS RULE PERSONAL DETAILS BORN 16 AUGUST 1968 (AGE 45) SIWANI, HARYANA POLITICAL PARTY AAM AADMI PARTY SPOUSE(S) SUNITA KEJRIWAL CHILDREN 2 RESIDENCE GHAZIABAD, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA ALMA MATER IIT KHARAGPUR AWARDS RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD ARVIND KEJRIWAL (BORN 16 AUGUST 1968) IS AN INDIAN POLITICIAN AND FORMER CIVIL SERVANT WHO SERVED AS THE 7TH CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHIFROM 28 DECEMBER 2013 TO 14 FEBRUARY 2014. HE IS THE LEADER OF THE AAM AADMI PARTY (AAP). KEJRIWAL IS A GRADUATE OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR AND WORKED FOR THE INDIAN REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) AS A JOINT COMMISSIONER IN THE INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT.[1] HE IS KNOWN FOR HIS EFFORTS TO ENACT AND IMPLEMENT THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT (RTI) AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL AND HIS ROLE IN DRAFTING A PROPOSED JAN LOKPAL BILL. IN 2006, KEJRIWAL WAS AWARDED THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD FOR EMERGENT LEADERSHIP RECOGNISING HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT (PARIVARTAN) USING RIGHT-TO-INFORMATION LEGISLATION IN A CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION. THE SAME YEAR, AFTER RESIGNING FROM THE IRS, HE DONATED HIS MAGSAYSAY AWARD MONEY AS A CORPUS FUND TO FOUND THE PUBLIC CAUSE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGO). IN 2012, HE LAUNCHED THE AAM AADMI PARTY, AND DEFEATED CHIEF MINISTER SHEILA DIKSHIT IN THE 2013 DELHI LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTION. FOLLOWING THE ELECTION, HE TOOK OFFICE AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI ON 28 DECEMBER 2013. HE RESIGNED 49 DAYS LATER, ON 14 FEBRUARY 2014, STATING HE DID SO BECAUSE OF HIS GOVERNMENTS INABILITY TO PASS HIS PROPOSED ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION DUE TO A LACK OF SUPPORT FROM OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES.[2][3] CONTENTS KEJRIWAL WAS BORN IN A MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY IN SIWANI, BHIWANI DISTRICT, HARYANA ON 16 AUGUST 1968, THE FIRST OF THE THREE CHILDREN OF GOBIND RAM KEJRIWAL AND GITA DEVII. HIS FATHER WAS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WHO GRADUATED FROM THE BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MESRA, AND WHOSE WORK LED TO MANY CHANGES IN THE FAMILYS RESIDENCE. KEJRIWAL SPENT MOST OF HIS CHILDHOOD IN NORTH INDIAN TOWNS SUCH AS SONEPAT, GHAZIABAD AND HISAR. HE WAS EDUCATED AT CAMPUS SCHOOL IN HISAR[4] AND AT A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY SCHOOL AT SONIPAT.[5] KEJRIWAL GRADUATED FROM THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN KHARAGPUR, MAJORING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. HE JOINED TATA STEEL IN 1989 AND WAS POSTED IN JAMSHEDPUR. KEJRIWAL RESIGNED IN 1992, HAVING TAKEN LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN ORDER TO STUDY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION.[4] KEJRIWAL SPENT SOME TIME IN KOLKATA, AT THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION IN NORTH-EAST INDIA AND AT NEHRU YUVA KENDRA.[6] EARLY CAREER KEJRIWAL JOINED THE IRS IN 1995 AFTER QUALIFYING THROUGH THE CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION.[7] IN 2000, HE WAS GRANTED TWO YEARS PAID LEAVE TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION ON CONDITION THAT UPON RESUMING HIS WORK HE WOULD NOT RESIGN FROM THE SERVICE FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THAT CONDITION WOULD REQUIRE HIM TO REPAY THE SALARY GIVEN DURING THE LEAVE PERIOD. HE REJOINED IN 2003 AND WORKED FOR 18 MONTHS BEFORE TAKING UNPAID LEAVE FOR 18 MONTHS.[8] IN FEBRUARY 2006, HE RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION AS A JOINT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX IN NEW DELHI.[7] THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CLAIMED THAT KEJRIWAL HAD VIOLATED HIS ORIGINAL AGREEMENT BY NOT WORKING FOR THREE YEARS. KEJRIWAL SAID THAT HIS 18 MONTHS OF WORK AND 18 MONTHS OF UNPAID ABSENCE AMOUNTED TO THE STIPULATED THREE YEAR PERIOD DURING WHICH HE COULD NOT RESIGN AND THAT THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO MALIGN HIM DUE TO HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH TEAM ANNA, A STRAND OF THE INDIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT. THE DISPUTE RAN FOR SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL, IN 2011, IT WAS RESOLVED WHEN HE PAID HIS WAY OUT OF THE SERVICE WITH THE HELP OF LOANS FROM FRIENDS.[8] ACTIVISM CHANGE KEJRIWAL BELIEVES IN THE DICTUM THAT CHANGE BEGINS WITH SMALL THINGS.[9] IN DECEMBER 1999, WHILE STILL IN SERVICE WITH THE INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, HE HELPED FOUND A MOVEMENT NAMED PARIVARTAN (WHICH MEANS CHANGE), FOCUSED ON ASSISTING CITIZENS IN NAVIGATING INCOME TAX, ELECTRICITY AND FOOD RATION MATTERS IN PARTS OF DELHI. THE PARIVARTAN ORGANISATION EXPOSED A FAKE RATION CARD SCAM IN 2008[10][11] BUT, ACCORDING TO A FOUNDER MEMBER, DID NOT HAVE A GREAT IMPACT GENERALLY AND WAS LARGELY CRUMBLING BY 2012.[12] IT WAS FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH PARIVARTAN THAT KEJRIWAL HAD BEEN GIVEN THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD FOR EMERGENT LEADERSHIP IN 2006. THE AWARD CITATION NOTED PARIVARTAN AND THAT THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOGNIZES [KEJRIWALS] ACTIVATING INDIAS RIGHT-TO-INFORMATION MOVEMENT AT THE GRASSROOTS, EMPOWERING NEW DELHIS POOREST CITIZENS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION BY HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE.[10] RIGHT TO INFORMATION TOGETHER WITH MANISH SISODIA AND ABHINANDAN SEKHRI, KEJRIWAL ESTABLISHED THE PUBLIC CAUSE RESEARCH FOUNDATION IN DECEMBER 2006, DONATING THE PRIZE MONEY HE HAD RECEIVED FROM THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD AS A SEED FUND.[13] THIS NEW BODY PAID THE EMPLOYEES OF PARIVARTAN.[12] KEJRIWAL HAS USED THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT IN CORRUPTION CASES IN MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI, THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND THE DELHI ELECTRICITY BOARD.[6] JAN LOKPAL BILL MAIN ARTICLE: JAN LOKPAL BILL KEJRIWAL WAS THE CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO DRAFT A JAN LOKPAL BILL, FOLLOWING A CAMPAIGN FOR INTRODUCTION OF SUCH LEGISLATION THAT FEATURED ANNA HAZARE. HE HAD BEEN ARRESTED ALONG WITH HAZARE ON DEFYING POLICE DIRECTIVE TO GIVE A WRITTEN UNDERTAKING THAT THEY WILL NOT GO TO JP PARK. HE ATTACKED THE GOVERNMENT ON THIS AND SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR A DEBATE OVER POLICE POWER TO DETAIN AND RELEASE PEOPLE AT WILL.[14][15] POLITICAL CAREER GENERAL KEJRIWAL ESTABLISHED THE AAP IN NOVEMBER 2012 AS HE BELIEVED THAT ELECTORAL POLITICS WAS THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.[16] THIS CAUSED A RIFT BETWEEN HIM AND HAZARE.[17] THE PARTY NAME REFLECTS THE PHRASE AAM AADMI, OR COMMON MAN, WHOSE INTERESTS KEJRIWAL PROPOSED TO REPRESENT.[18] HE BECAME THE FIFTH MOST MENTIONED INDIAN POLITICIAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE DELHI LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTION OF 2013.[19] CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI IN THE 2013 DELHI LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS FOR ALL 70 SEATS, THE BHARTIYA JANTA PARTY WON 31 SEATS, FOLLOWED BY AAM AADMI PARTY WITH 28 SEATS.[20] KEJRIWAL DEFEATED INCUMBENT CHIEF MINISTER SHEILA DIKSHIT OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS IN HER CONSTITUENCY OF NEW DELHI[21] BY A MARGIN OF 25,864 VOTES.[22] AAP FORMED A MINORITY GOVERNMENT IN THE HUNG ASSEMBLY, (CLAIMING SUPPORT FOR THE ACTION GAUGED FROM OPINION POLLS) WITH OUTSIDE SUPPORT FROM THE EIGHT INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESSMLAS, ONE JANTA DAL MLA AND ONE INDEPENDENT MLA.[23][24] KEJRIWAL WAS SWORN IN AS THE SECOND-YOUNGEST CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI ON 28 DECEMBER 2013, AFTER CHAUDHARY BRAHM PRAKASH WHO BECAME CHIEF MINISTER AT THE AGE OF 34.[25][26] HE WAS IN CHARGE OF DELHIS HOME MINISTRY, POWER, PLANNING, FINANCE, VIGILANCE MINISTRIES.[CITATION NEEDED] RESIGNATION ON 14 FEBRUARY 2014 HE RESIGNED AS CHIEF MINISTER AFTER FAILING TO TABLE THE JAN LOKPAL BILL IN THE DELHI ASSEMBLY. HE RECOMMENDED THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY.[27] KEJRIWAL BLAMED THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS AND THE BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY FOR STALLING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION AND LINKED IT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REGISTER A FIRST INFORMATION REPORT (FIR) AGAINST INDUSTRIALIST MUKESH AMBANI, CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RELIANCE INDUSTRIES.[28] 2014 NATIONAL ELECTIONS KEJRIWAL SAID IN JANUARY, PRIOR TO HIS RESIGNATION AS CHIEF MINISTER, THAT HE WOULD NOT CONTEST A SEAT IN THE 2014 LOK SABHA ELECTIONS.[29] LATER IN THAT MONTH, PARTY MEMBERS PERSUADED HIM TO CHANGE HIS MIND, [30] AND ON 25 MARCH, HE AGREED TO CONTEST AGAINST THE BJP PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE, NARENDRA MODI, [31] FROM VARANASI,[32] BUT LOST TO MODI.[33] PERSONAL LIFE KEJRIWAL IS MARRIED TO SUNITA, HIS BATCHMATE FROM NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ADMINISTRATION IN MUSSOORIE AND THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DIRECT TAXES IN NAGPUR. THE COUPLE HAVE TWO CHILDREN. KEJRIWAL IS VEGETARIAN AND HAS BEEN PRACTICING VIPASSANA FOR MANY YEARS.[4] KEJRIWAL IS KNOWN TO BE AVERSE TO CEREMONY AND DOES NOT CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY. HE HAS DIABETES.[34] INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION:FROM WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA: INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION TYPE: PEOPLES MOVEMENT: KEY PEOPLE ARVIND KEJRIWAL AREA SERVED INDIA FOCUS ANTI-CORRUPTION INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION (IAC) WAS A POPULIST ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT IN INDIA. : SEE ALSO: 2011 INDIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT AND 2012 INDIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF FIGUREHEADS IN THE IAC MOVEMENT WAS THAT IT HAD NO FORMAL ORGANISATION BEYOND A 24-MEMBER CORE COMMITTEE.[1] IN 2011, THE MOSTLY MIDDLE-CLASS ORGANISERS OF IAC DETERMINED TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN TO MOBILISE THE MASSES IN SUPPORT OF A DEMAND THAT THEY HOPED WOULD HELP TO BRING ABOUT A CORRUPTION-FREE INDIA. THEIR PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A LOKPAL (OMBUDSMAN) WHO WOULD HAVE HAD POWERS TO ARREST AND CHARGE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION.[2][3] THEY APPROACHED RAMDEV, A POPULIST YOGI WITH MILLIONS OF SUPPORTERS AMONG THE MIDDLE-CLASSES OF SMALL-TOWN INDIA, TO BE THE FIGUREHEAD FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. HIS CONNECTIONS TO THE RIGHT-WING SANGH PARIVAR THREATENED TO DAMAGE THE CREDIBILITY OF WHAT WAS NOMINALLY AN APOLITICAL MOVEMENT. HE WAS SOON REPLACED BY ANNA HAZARE, A VETERAN SOCIAL REFORMER WITH A HISTORY OF UNDERTAKING FASTS IN SUPPORT OF HIS CAUSES. HAZARE, TOO, BROUGHT A LARGE SUPPORT BASE WITH HIM, COMPRISING MOSTLY MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE FROM URBAN AREAS AND IDEALISTIC YOUTHS. THE URBAN SOPHISTICATION OF HAZARE, COMPARED TO RAMDEVS RUSTICITY, ATTRACTED HIGH-PROFILE SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN FROM BOLLYWOOD STARS, THE INTERNET-SAVVY, AND MAINSTREAM ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWS MEDIA. HE, TOO, STRUGGLED TO DISASSOCIATE HIMSELF FROM HINDUTVA SYMBOLISM: HENCE, SUPPORT FROM NON-HINDUS WAS LESS FORTHCOMING.[3] HISTORIAN AND COMMENTATOR RAMACHANDRA GUHA HAS QUESTIONED THE IMAGE THAT HAS BEEN PORTRAYED OF IAC AND OF HAZARE. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT HAZARE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CAMPAIGNS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REFORMS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN HIS NATIVE MAHARASHTRA AND THAT THE IAC CAMPAIGN OF 2011 HAD AN IMPACT, GUHA DOUBTS THE CLAIMS THAT THE 2011 AND 2012 PROTESTS OVERWHELMINGLY ENGAGED THE MASSES. HE NOTES THAT LIBERALS WERE CONCERNED WITH A PERCEIVED ANTI-DEMOCRATIC RHETORIC WHILE SOCIALLY OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES, SUCH AS THE DALITS AND OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES, WERE WORRIED THAT THE HINDU-LED MOVEMENT WOULD UNDERMINE THE GAINS THEY HAVE MADE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE REFORMS, SUCH AS THOSE RESULTING FROM THE MANDAL COMMISSION. HE CONSIDERS THAT THE ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE PROTEST BY 24-HOUR NEWS CHANNELS AND INTERNET RESOURCES HAS MASKED THE REALITIES, SUCH AS THAT POPULAR PARTICIPATION AT THE JANTAR MANTAR AND RAMLILA MAIDAN PROTESTS IN DELHI WAS A FRACTION OF THAT EVIDENCED IN KOLKATA IN 1998 WHEN 400,000 MARCHED IN AN ANTI-NUCLEAR MOVEMENT. IAC AND HAZARE IN PARTICULAR PIGGY-BACKED ON AND GAINED FROM DISCONTENT SURROUNDING SOME COINCIDENT CORRUPTION SCANDALS INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT. THESE SCANDALS, SUCH AS THE 2G SPECTRUM SCAM, WERE HIGH-PROFILE EXAMPLES OF THE CORRUPTION THAT IS CLAIMED TO BE ENDEMIC IN INDIAN SOCIETY AT ALL LEVELS BUT GUHA BELIEVES THE IAC SOLUTION — THE LOKPAL — WAS A SIMPLISTIC REACTION.[2] ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC, WHICH DATES ITSELF BACK TO 2006,[NOTE 1] THE NAME IAC CAME TO BE USED IN 2007 FOR A MOVEMENT TO MONITOR ACCOUNTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES OF 2010.[4] BETWEEN 2007 AND 2010 THIS MOVEMENT FILED A SERIES OF COORDINATED RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) REQUESTS TO GAINT INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEES.[4] ACCORDING TO THE HRA-RELATED IAC, IN 2010 THE NAME INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE PCRF OF ARVIND KEJRIWAL FOR A WIDER POPULAR MOVEMENT AGAINST THE EXCESSES OF CONGRESS,[4] BUT TURNED INTO A CAMPAIGN FOR A JANLOKPAL (OMBUDSMAN) BILL, WHICH WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE 2006-IAC.[4][NOTE 2] DIVERGENCE THOSE AT THE HEAD OF IAC BECAME KNOWN AS TEAM ANNA.[6] IN LATE 2012, THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE IAC MOVEMENT CAUSED BY DIFFERENCES OF OPINION AMONG THE CENTRAL FIGURES REGARDING ITS LACK OF PRACTICAL SUCCESS AND HOW MUCH THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO ITS UNWILLINGNESS TO BE DIRECTLY ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM. AN IAC SURVEY HAD SUGGESTED THAT DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS WAS PREFERABLE, LEADING TO ARVIND KEJRIWAL AND SOME OTHERS SPLITTING TO FORM THE AAM AADMI PARTY (AAP) IN ORDER TO CAUSE CHANGE FROM WITHIN THE SYSTEM. HAZARE REJECTED THE SURVEY FINDINGS.[7][8] HAZARE HAD ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS DISBANDING TEAM ANNA IN AUGUST 2012, AROUND THE TIME THAT THE DIVISIONS WERE COMING TO A HEAD.[9] IN NOVEMBER 2012, AFTER THE SPLIT, HE SAID THAT HE WAS FORMING A NEW TEAM ANNA, THAT IT WOULD RETAIN THE LABEL OF INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THAT ITS MEMBERS WERE DISCUSSING OTHER SOCIETAL ISSUES THAT THEY MIGHT ADDRESS.[10][11] THE NEW TEAM ANNA, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS TEAM ANNA 2.0, WAS PREPARING TO TOUR THE COUNTRY FROM 30 JANUARY 2013, COINCIDING WITH THE DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF MAHATMA GANDHI.[12] WHEN THAT DAY CAME, HAZARE ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD FORMED JANTANTRA MORCHA, A CAMPAIGNING GROUP THAT INCLUDED THE PREVIOUSLY-NAMED MEMBERS OF TEAM ANNA 2.0 AND WHICH HE CONSIDERED TO BE A REPLACEMENT FOR IAC BUT WITH A BROADER AGENDA.[13] NOTABLE PEOPLE NOTABLE MEMBERS OF IAC/TEAM ANNA PRIOR TO THE BREAKAWAY OF THE AAM AADMI PARTY WERE: • ANNA HAZARE • ARVIND KEJRIWAL • SHANTI BHUSHAN • PRASHANT BHUSHAN • SANTOSH HEGDE • SHAZIA ILMI • MEDHA PATKAR • GOPAL RAI • SANJAY SINGH • MANISH SISODIA • KIRAN BEDI • KUMAR VISHWAS FOLLOWING THE SPLIT WITH THE AAP, NOTABLE MEMBERS WERE:[12] • ARVIND GAUR • SUNITA GODARA • AKHIL GOGOI • ANNA HAZARE • SANTOSH HEGDE • KIRAN BEDI • MEDHA PATKAR SEE ALSO • CORRUPTION IN INDIA NOTES 1. JUMP UP^ THE PRESENT INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION IS RELATED TO THE HRA.[4] ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC THE TERM IAC WAS DUBBED IN 1973 BY RAJ NARAIN AS A RENAMING OF INDIA AGAINST COLONIALISM, AN ORGANISATION GROUNDED BY THE HRSA IN THE 1920S. THE PRESENT IAC WAS FORMED IN 2006.[4] PERMISSION TO USE THE NAME IAC WAS OBTAINED FROM THE HINDUSTAN REPUBLICAN ARMY IN 2007.[4] 2. JUMP UP^ ACCORDING TO THE HRA-RELATED IAC, THE USAGE OF IAC NAME WAS ONLY APPROVED TO PROTEST AND LITIGATE AGAINST THE COMMON WEALTH GAMES 2010 SCAMS IN 2010, AND WAS WITHDRAWN ON 9 DEC. 2010 TO (SIC) TEAM ARVIND.[4] THE 2006-IAC OBJECTED AGAINST THE USE OF THE TERM IAC BY THIS POPULAR MOVEMENT FOR LOKPAL BILL ANDOLAN AND TO THE ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS LIKE RAMDEV, AGNIVESH, KIRAN BEDI, ARUNA ROY AND OTHERS UNDER ITS BANNER.[4] ACCORDING TO IAMIAC.COM, THIS MOVEMENT AND ITS LOGO HAVE EVOLVED FROM THE MOVEMENT INDIA AGAINST COLONIZATION,[5] AND ARE AFFILIATED TO HINDUSTAN REPUBLIC ASSOCIATION ORIGINALLY FOUNDED BY SACHINDRANATH SANYAL AND OTHERS IN 1923 AND REVIVED IN 1973 AND HAVE OFFICE BEARERS WHO HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO THE USE IF ITS NAME AND LOGO OR TO RESTRICT ITS USE. 2011 INDIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT: PROTESTERS TAKE PART IN PROTESTS AT JANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI. DATE 4 APRIL 2011 – ONGOING (3 YEARS, 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS) LOCATION INDIA 28°36′N 77°12′ECOORDINATES: 28°36′N 77°12′E CAUSES • GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION[1][2] • POLICE CORRUPTION[2] • JUDICIAL CORRUPTION[1] • CORPORATE CORRUPTION[2] • KLEPTOCRACY[2] • ELECTORAL FRAUD[3] • RED TAPE[2][4] • DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF POLITICIAN[1] • BLACK MONEY[1] GOALS: ESTABLISHING STRONG AND INDEPENDENT JANLOK PAL ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT;[5](NOT COMPLETED YET) METHODS NON VIOLENT PROTEST STATUS ONGOING THE 2011 INDIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT WAS A SERIES OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS ACROSS INDIA INTENDED TO ESTABLISH STRONG LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PERCEIVED ENDEMIC POLITICAL CORRUPTION.[5] THE MOVEMENT WAS NAMED AMONG THE TOP 10 NEWS STORIES OF 2011 BY TIME MAGAZINE.[6] THE MOVEMENT GAINED MOMENTUM FROM 5 APRIL 2011, WHEN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVIST ANNA HAZARE BEGAN A HUNGER STRIKE AT THEJANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI. THE CHIEF LEGISLATIVE AIM OF THE MOVEMENT WAS TO ALLEVIATE CORRUPTION IN THE INDIAN GOVERNMENTTHROUGH INTRODUCTION OF THE JAN LOKPAL BILL. ANOTHER AIM, SPEARHEADED BY RAMDEV, WAS THE REPATRIATION OF BLACK MONEY FROM SWISS AND OTHER FOREIGN BANKS. GRIEVANCES OF MASS PROTESTERS FOCUSSED ON LEGAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES, INCLUDING POLITICAL CORRUPTION, KLEPTOCRACY, AND OTHER FORMS OF CORRUPTION. THE MOVEMENT WAS PRIMARILY ONE OF NON-VIOLENT CIVIL RESISTANCE, FEATURING DEMONSTRATIONS, MARCHES, ACTS OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, HUNGER STRIKES, MARCHES AND RALLIES, AS WELL AS THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO ORGANISE, COMMUNICATE, AND RAISE AWARENESS. THE PROTESTS WERE NONPARTISAN AND MOST PROTESTERS WERE HOSTILE TO ATTEMPTS MADE BY POLITICAL PARTIES TO USE THEM TO STRENGTHEN THEIR OWN POLITICAL AGENDAS. CONTENTS [HIDE] • 1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND • 2 PRE-LAUNCH OF THE MOVEMENT • 3 HAZARES HUNGER STRIKE AT JANTAR MANTAR o 3.1 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HAZARE o 3.2 POLITICAL PARTY RESPONSE TO HAZARE • 4 PROTEST AT RAMLILA MAIDAN o 4.1 BACKGROUND o 4.2 THE GROUND PROTESTS o 4.3 POLICE ACTION o 4.4 AFTERMATH 4.4.1 CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSE 4.4.2 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE 4.4.3 POLITICAL PARTY RESPONSE 4.4.4 SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE BY THE SUPREME COURT • 5 AUGUST PROTESTS o 5.1 BACKGROUND o 5.2 HAZARES ARREST o 5.3 HAZARES RELEASE • 6 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE • 7 DECEMBER PROTESTS o 7.1 PARLIAMENT DEBATE • 8 DETAILED TIMELINE • 9 INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE • 10 SEE ALSO • 11 NOTES • 12 REFERENCES • 13 EXTERNAL LINKS HISTORICAL BACKGROUND[EDIT] SEE ALSO: CORRUPTION IN INDIA, LIST OF ALLEGED SCAMS IN INDIA AND INDIAN POLITICAL SCANDALS ANNA HAZARES HUNGER STRIKE AT JANTAR MANTAR IN NEW DELHI, ON THE SECOND DAY OF HIS FAST ISSUES REGARDING CORRUPTION IN INDIA HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY PROMINENT IN RECENT YEARS. THE COUNTRY WAS SUBJECT TO SOCIALIST-INSPIRED ECONOMIC POLICIES DATING FROM INDEPENDENCE IN 1947 UNTIL THE 1980S. OVER-REGULATION, PROTECTIONISM, AND GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OF INDUSTRY LED TO SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, AND WIDESPREAD POVERTY.[7][8] THIS SYSTEM OF BUREAUCRATIC CONTROL BY GOVERNMENT IS CALLED THE LICENSE RAJ AND LIES AT THE CORE OF ENDEMIC CORRUPTION.[9] THE VOHRA REPORT OF 1993, SUBMITTED BY THE FORMER INDIAN UNION HOME SECRETARY PRANAY NAHAR, STUDIED THE ISSUE OF THECRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS. THE REPORT CONTAINED SEVERAL OBSERVATIONS MADE BY OFFICIAL AGENCIES ON THE CRIMINAL NETWORK WHICH WAS VIRTUALLY RUNNING A PARALLEL GOVERNMENT. IT ALSO DISCUSSED CRIMINAL GANGS WHO ENJOYED THE PATRONAGE OF POLITICIANS AND THE PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES. IT REVEALED THAT POLITICAL LEADERS HAD BECOME LEADERS OF STREET GANGS AND ROGUE ELEMENTS IN THE MILITARY. OVER THE YEARS, CRIMINALS HAD BEEN ELECTED TO LOCAL BODIES, STATE ASSEMBLIES, AND THE PARLIAMENT.[10][11][12] THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT OF 2005 HELPED CIVILIANS WORK EFFECTIVELY TOWARDS TACKLING CORRUPTION. IT ALLOWS INDIAN CITIZENS TO REQUEST INFORMATION, FOR A FIXED FEE OF ₹10 (US$0.22), FROM A PUBLIC AUTHORITY (A BODY OF GOVERNMENT OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF STATE). IN TURN, THIS PUBLIC AUTHORITY IS REQUIRED TO REPLY TO THE REQUEST WITHIN THIRTY DAYS. ACTIVISTS HAVE USED THIS TO UNCOVER CORRUPTION CASES AGAINST VARIOUS POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS – ONE CONSEQUENCE BEING THAT SOME OF THOSE ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AND EVEN KILLED.[13] PRE-LAUNCH OF THE MOVEMENT[EDIT] THE MOVEMENT HAS CONNECTIONS TO SEVERAL ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGNS THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN OCTOBER 2010 AND MARCH 2011. THESE INCLUDED: DATE ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN 29 OCTOBER, 2010 AN ANTI-CORRUPTION PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY NGO INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION[NOTE 1] WAS HELD AT THE PRESS CLUB OF INDIA TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED SHUNGLU COMMITTEE HAD INADEQUATE POWERS TO INVESTIGATE THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCAM[16] 1 NOVEMBER, 2010 BY ORDER OF DEFENCE MINISTER OF INDIA A.K. ANTONY, THE INDIAN ARMY ESTABLISHES A COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE ADARSH HOUSING SOCIETY SCAM[17] 14 NOVEMBER, 2010 AFTER INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION REGISTERS A COMPLAINT REGARDING CORRUPTION IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCAM, NEARLY 10,000 PEOPLE ASSEMBLED AT THE PARLIAMENT STREET POLICE STATION[16] 24 NOVEMBER, 2010 THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS ARRESTS OF SEVERAL SENIOR BANKERS UNDER ALLEGATIONS OF RECEIVING BRIBES TO ISSUE CORPORATE LOANS IN THE 2010 HOUSING LOAN SCAM[18] 10 DECEMBER, 2010 THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF INCOME TAX (INVESTIGATION) FILE A DELAYED JOINT AFFIDAVIT TO THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DECLARING THE NOVEMBER 2007 WIRETAPPING OF CORPORATE LOBBYIST NIRA RADIA IN THE RADIA TAPES CONTROVERSY[19] 22 DECEMBER, 2010 A 20,000-PERSON ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTEST IN RESPONSE TO THE 2G SPECTRUM SCAM HELD AT NEW DELHIS RAMLILA GROUND[20] 17 JANUARY, 2011 THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRITICISES THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT PUBLICLY DISCLOSING INDIAN NATIONALS NAMED ON RUDOLF ELMERS BLACK MONEY LIST DISCLOSED BY JULIAN ASSANGES WIKILEAKS. THE INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT ISSUES SUMMONS AND ARREST NOTICES TO MANY TAX EVADERS.[21][22] 18 JANUARY, 2011 THE PUBLIC RELEASE OF AN ANTI-CORRUPTION OPEN LETTER FROM AZIM PREMJI, KESHUB MAHINDRA, AND OTHER LEADING INDIAN INDUSTRIALISTS DEMANDING REFORM OF THE WIDESPREAD GOVERNANCE DEFICIT IN ALMOST EVERY SPHERE OF NATIONAL ACTIVITY, COVERING GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND INSTITUTIONS[23] 29 JANUARY, 2011 FORMER CHIEF MINISTER CHANDRA BABU NAIDU ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HIS WAR ON CORRUPTION THROUGH HIS NTR MEMORIAL TRUST AND JANA CHAITANYA VEDIKA[24] 30 JANUARY, 2011 THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHED AGAINST CORRUPTION IN MORE THAN 52 CITIES IN INDIA AND ABROAD. COPIES OF THE CVC ACT, THE CBI ACT, I-T ACT, AND THE GOVERNMENT’S LOKPAL BILL WERE TORN UP BY THE THOUSANDS, SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE THAT THE PEOPLE LACK FAITH IN THE INEFFECTIVE ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES[16] FEB–MAR, 2011 THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS AND INCOME TAX DEPARTMENTS ARRESTS OF CO-CONSPIRATORS IMPLICATED IN THE 2G SPECTRUM SCAM[25][26][27] 8 FEBRUARY, 2011 INDIAN-BORN AMERICAN EXECUTIVE ANJAN DUTTA-GUPTA CHARGED FOR BRIBING UNITED STATES NAVY OFFICIALS IN SEEKING SOFTWARE CONTRACTS WORTH APPROXIMATELY $10M[28] 10 FEBRUARY, 2011 THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA ORDERS ALL TRIAL COURTS IN THE COUNTRY TO EXPEDITE HANDLING OF CORRUPTION CASES; ALSO, ALL HIGH COURTS OF INDIA ORDERED TO SEEK QUARTERLY REPORTS FROM LOWER TRIAL COURTS ON THE PROGRESS OF CORRUPTION CASES[29] 21 FEBRUARY, 2011 IN A PUBLIC ADDRESS TO THE PARLIAMENT OF INDIA, THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRATIBHA PATIL STATED THAT MEASURES TO RATIFY THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES NECESSARY TO IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY WILL BE TAKEN[30] 1 MARCH, 2011 THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ACTION AGAINST INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CHAIRMAN RAJAT GUPTA IN THE GALLEON INSIDER TRADING SCANDAL; GUPTA HAD ALSO VIOLATED MCKINSEY & CO.S FIRM POLICY BY CORRUPTLY BACKDEALING THROUGH HIS OWN CONSULTING FIRM, MINDSPIRIT LLC[31][32][33] 3 MARCH, 2011 THE FORCED RESIGNATION OF CHIEF VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER P.J. THOMAS ON CHARGES OF CORRUPTION BY THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA[34] 12 MARCH, 2011 THE WORLDWIDE 50-CITY DANDI MARCH II ORGANISED BY PEOPLE FOR LOK SATTA AND INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION[35] 13 MARCH, 2011 THE DRIVE AROUND DELHI PROTEST ORGANISED BY INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION[36] 17 MARCH, 2011 THE WIKILEAKS CASH-FOR-VOTES SCANDAL INVOLVING THE DELAYED LEAK OF A DIPLOMATIC CABLE DESCRIBING AN INDIAN LEGISLATIVE AIDE SHOWING A US EMBASSY OFFICIAL CHESTS OF CASH USED TO BRIBE INDIAN LAWMAKERS OVER A VOTE ON AN INDO-U.S. NUCLEAR DEAL BACK IN JULY 2008[37] 30 MARCH, 2011 FAMOUS CRICKETER KAPIL DEVS LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH, COMPLAINING OF THE INADEQUACY OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS AND PETITIONING FOR THE JAN LOKPAL BILL[38] HAZARES HUNGER STRIKE AT JANTAR MANTAR[EDIT] HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT STOP ANYONE FROM PROTESTING? THE LAND IS NOT THEIR FATHERS PROPERTY. THE CITIZENS ARE THE MASTERS OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE MINISTERS ARE THEIR SERVANTS. – ANNA HAZARE (WHEN ASKED BY A PRESS REPORTER HOW COULD HE PROTEST AT JANTAR MANTAR IN SPITE OF PROHIBITORY ORDERS) “ ” [39] HAZARE BEGAN HIS HUNGER STRIKE ON 5 APRIL 2011 AT JANTAR MANTAR IN DELHI. THIS WAS IN REACTION TO THE REJECTION BY PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA MANMOHAN SINGH OF HIS REQUEST FOR THE FORMATION OF A JOINT COMMITTEE COMPRISING GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES. HAZARE HAD WANTED THE COMMITTEE TO DRAFT AN ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL CONTAINING STRONGER PUNISHMENTS AND GIVING MORE INDEPENDENCE TO THE LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTAS (OMBUDSMEN IN THE STATES).[40] HE SAID THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE THE FAST UNTIL THE BILL WAS PASSED[41] AND ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT, INCLUDING FROM 150 PEOPLE WHO JOINED HIM IN FASTING.[42] PROMINENT AMONG THE SUPPORTERS WERE MEDHA PATKAR, ARVIND KEJRIWAL, KIRAN BEDI, KUMAR VISHWAS AND JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN.[43][44]HAZARE WOULD NOT ALLOW POLITICIANS TO SIT WITH HIM AND THOSE WHO TRIED TO JOIN, SUCH AS UMA BHARTI AND OM PRAKASH CHAUTALA, WERE TURNED AWAY.[45] PROTESTS SPREAD TO BANGALORE, MUMBAI, CHENNAI, AHMEDABAD, GUWAHATI, SHILLONG, AIZAWL AND A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIES IN INDIA.[46] THERE WERE ALSO GATHERINGS IN SOLIDARITY AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC, LONDON, GLASGOW, LOS ANGELES, ARTESIA, NEW JERSEY, STOLBERG, PARIS AND HOUSTON.[47][48][49][50][51][52] GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HAZARE[EDIT] THE HUNGER STRIKE CAUSED THE RESIGNATION ON 6 APRIL OF AGRICULTURE MINISTER SHARAD PAWAR FROM THE GROUP OF MINISTERS THAT HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH REVIEWING THE DRAFT BILL.[53] ON 8 APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT STARTED SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE DEMANDS OF THE PROTESTERS. THE GOVERNMENT STATED THAT IT WOULD TABLE THE BILL IN PARLIAMENT IN THE UPCOMING MONSOON SESSION.[54] ON 9 APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT FINALLY AGREED TO HAVE A 50:50 DISTRIBUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY.[55] ON 13 MAY, PM MANMOHAN SINGH STATED THAT THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAD COMPLETED THE RATIFICATION OF THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION.[56] POLITICAL PARTY RESPONSE TO HAZARE[EDIT] BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY THE BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY SUPPORTED HAZARE, WITH PROMINENT MEMBER ARUN JAITLEY URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE HAZARES FAST SERIOUSLY.[57] ANOTHER PROMINENT BJP FIGURE, L.K. ADVANI, SUGGESTED THAT A MEETING OF POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD BE CONVENED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF BLACK MONEY AND CURBING MONEY-POWER IN ELECTIONS.[58] BJP LEADER NARENDRA MODI POSTED ON HIS FACEBOOK ACCOUNT THAT HE WAS PRAYING FOR HAZARES HEALTH. HE ALSO PUBLISHED AN OPEN LETTER TO HAZARE THANKING HIM FOR THE LATTERS SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT WORK IN GUJARAT. MODI ALSO WARNED HAZARE OF POSSIBLE VILIFICATION BY A CERTAIN POWERFUL-GROUP THAT WISHES TO DEFAME MODI AND GUJARAT. HE REITERATED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE JAN LOKPAL BILL.[59] COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF ANNA HAZARE. PRAKASH KARAT PLEDGED SUPPORT TO HAZARE OVER THE JAN LOKPAL BILL.[60] PROTEST AT RAMLILA MAIDAN[EDIT] BACKGROUND[EDIT] FOLLOWING HAZARES INITIAL PROTEST, RAMDEV LED A SECOND MAJOR PROTEST AT THE RAMLILA MAIDAN, NEW DELHI ON 4 JUNE 2011. HIS AIM WAS TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO REPATRIATE BLACK MONEY DEPOSITED ABROAD. HE DEMANDED THAT UNTAXED MONEY INVESTED ABROAD SHOULD BE DECLARED TO BE THE WEALTH OF THE NATION AND, FURTHER, THAT THE ACT OF CACHING MONEY ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN OBTAINED ILLEGALLY IN FOREIGN BANKS SHOULD BE DECLARED A CRIME AGAINST THE STATE. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT AROUND $350 BILLION TO $1.4 TRILLION WORTH OF BLACK MONEY WAS STASHED AWAY IN FOREIGN BANKS.[61][62] PRIOR TO HIS PROTEST, RAMDEV HAD ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD LAUNCH A PEOPLES MOVEMENT CALLED THE SATYAGRAHA AGAINST CORRUPTION TO LIBERATE THE COUNTRY FROM RAMPANT CORRUPTION AND BUILD A STRONG SPIRITUAL ‘BHARAT.[63] FOUR SENIOR UNION MINISTERS PRANAB MUKHERJEE, KAPIL SIBAL, PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL AND SUBODH KANT SAHAY ALONG WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THECENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES, SUDHIR CHANDRA, MET RAMDEV TO DISCUSS HIS CONCERNS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF JUNE.[64][65] BOTH SIDES TO THE DISCUSSION CLAIMED TO HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT BUT RAMDEV PLANNED TO GO AHEAD WITH HIS HUNGER STRIKE.[CITATION NEEDED] THE GROUND PROTESTS[EDIT] THE RAMLILA MAIDAN WAS BOOKED FOR 40 DAYS TO ALLOW THE PROTEST TO HAPPEN. PREPARATIONS INCLUDED SETTING UP TOILET, DRINKING WATER AND MEDICAL FACILITIES, AS WELL AS A MEDIA CENTRE.[66] RAMDEV CLAIMED THAT MORE THAN 100 MILLION PEOPLE WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THE BHARAT SWABHIMAN ANDOLAN.[67] ALMOST 3.2 MILLION NETIZENS JOINED THE CAMPAIGN.[68][69] POLICE ACTION[EDIT] ON 5 JUNE, POLICE RAIDED THE MAIDAN WHERE RAMDEV WAS FASTING, DETAINING HIM AND REMOVING HIS SUPPORTERS AFTER FIRING TEAR GAS SHELLS AND LATHICHARGING.[70] 713 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALISED, FOUR OF WHOM WERE REPORTED TO BE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.[71] FINANCE MINISTER PRANAB MUKHERJEE CALLED THE POLICE ACTION UNFORTUNATE BUT ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO DO THAT AS RAMDEV HAD NO PERMISSION TO HOLD THE PROTEST.[72] IT WAS ALLEGED THAT THE ACTION WAS NOT A SPONTANEOUS DECISION BUT HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR SEVERAL DAYS.[73] THE POLICE SAID RAMDEV HAD BEEN INFORMED SHORTLY BEFOREHAND THAT PERMISSION TO CONTINUE HIS AGITATION HAD BEEN CANCELLED. BY THAT TIME, OVER 5000 POLICE OFFICERS HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR ACTION.[73] THERE WAS AN ALLEGATION THAT CCTV FOOTAGE OF THE RAID WAS MISSING.[74][75] ON 6 JUNE, THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF INDIA REQUESTED THAT REPORTS OF THE EVENTS BE PROVIDED WITHIN TWO WEEKS BY THE UNION HOME SECRETARY, DELHI CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE DELHI CITY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.[76] HAZARE RESPONDED TO THE EVENTS BY HOLDING A ONE-DAY HUNGER STRIKE.[77] PROTESTS WERE HELD IN MANY PARTS OF COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE CITIES OF CHENNAI, BANGALORE, MUMBAI, HYDERABAD, JAMMU, AND LUCKNOW. THEY ALSO SPREAD TO NEPAL.[78][79][80][81] RAMDEV SAID THAT A SECOND PHASE OF THE BHARAT SWABHIMAN YATRA WOULD BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND WOULD COVER A DISTANCE OF 100,000 KILOMETRES (62,000 MI).[69] AFTERMATH[EDIT] CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSE[EDIT] RAMDEV ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF NOT BEING SERIOUS ABOUT DISCUSSING ISSUES OF CORRUPTION AND BLACK MONEY, ALLEGING THAT GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATOR KAPIL SIBAL HAD CHEATED HIM THROUGH A SCHEMING AND CUNNING ATTITUDE. HE ALLEGED THAT THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY TO KILL HIM AND A THREAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM DURING A MEETING WITH SENIOR MINISTERS. HE ALSO CLAIMED THAT THE RULING GOVERNMENT CHAIRPERSON SONIA GANDHI AND THE UNITED PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY THREAT TO HIS LIFE AND ALLEGED THAT HE WAS NEARLY STRANGLED BY THE POLICE.[82] AFTER BEING EVICTED FROM DELHI, RAMDEV WANTED TO CONTINUE HIS FAST FROM NOIDA BUT WAS DENIED PERMISSION TO DO SO BY THE UTTAR PRADESHGOVERNMENT. HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE HIS HUNGER STRIKE AND SATYAGRAHA FROM HARIDWAR ONLY UNTIL 12 JUNE 2011.[83][84][85] HAZARE SAID THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME FAULTS WITH RAMDEVS AGITATION BUT THAT THE BEATING UP OF PEOPLE AT NIGHT RATHER THAN IN THE DAY-TIME WAS A BLOT ON DEMOCRACY AND THAT THERE WAS NO FIRING OTHERWISE THE EVICTION WAS SIMILAR TO JALLIANWALA BAGH INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THE STRANGULATION OF DEMOCRACY WOULD CAUSE CIVIL SOCIETY TO LAUNCH PROTESTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO TEACH GOVERNMENT A LESSON.[86][87] OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS, SUCH AS ARVIND KEJRIWAL, ALSO TERMED THE USE OF POLICE FORCE ON NON-VIOLENT SLEEPING PROTESTERS AS UNDEMOCRATIC. SHANTI BHUSHAN AND SWAMI AGNIVESH ALSO CRITICISED THE POLICE ACTION TO END THE HUNGER STRIKE.[88][89] GOVERNMENT RESPONSE[EDIT] CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY DIGVIJAY SINGH SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD REACHED AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE PROTESTS WERE HELD.[90] PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH WROTE TO RAMDEV, ASKING TO CEASE-AND-DESIST FROM HOLDING THE PROTESTS.[91] NATIONALIST CONGRESS PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY TARIQ ANWAR SAID THAT BOTH HAZARE AND RAMDEV ARE BLACKMAILING THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY SHOULD FIRST PEEP INTO THEIR OWN HEARTS.[92] PAWAN BANSAL COMMENTED ON THE MIDNIGHT POLICE ACTION AND SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A CRACKDOWN, WE [THE GOVERNMENT] HAD TO DO IT TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER.[93] ALL INDIA CONGRESS COMMITTEE SECRETARY JANARDAN DWIVEDI DESCRIBED RAMDEVS PROTEST AS A POLITICAL GAME BY BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY POINTING OUT THAT DESPITE BEING TREATED IN THE SAME HOSPITAL AS SWAMI NIGAMANANDA SARASWATI WHO FASTED FOR OVER TWO MONTHS, RAMDEV GOT MORE ATTENTION.[94] POLITICAL PARTY RESPONSE[EDIT] • BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY: THE PARTY CALLED THE POLICE ACTION TO BREAK UP THE HUNGER STRIKE UNDEMOCRATIC.[95] BJP PRESIDENT NITIN GADKARI SAID THEY WILL ORGANISE A 24-HOUR LONG SATYAGRAHA AT RAJGHAT INDEPENDENT OF GOVERNMENTS PERMISSION.[96] NITIN GADKARI FURTHER ADDED; WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE ATTACKED. THEY WERE LATHI CHARGED AND TEARGAS WAS USED. THIS REMINDS US OF THE EMERGENCY DAYS IN 1975. WE STRONGLY CONDEMN IT, AND THE PRIME MINISTER AND SONIA GANDHI USED FORCE ON DEMOCRATIC WAYS OF PROTEST AGAINST CORRUPTION AND BLACK MONEY. I CONDEMN THE ACTION OF MANMOHAN SINGH AND SONIA GANDHI. THEY SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR THE ACT,[97] GUJARAT CHIEF MINISTER NARENDRA MODISTRONGLY CONDEMNED THE INCIDENT COMPARING ATROCITIES ON RAMLILA GROUND BY COMPARING THE GOVERNMENT WITH RAVANA-LILA FURTHER ADDING THAT “IT IS ONE OF THE WORST DAYS OF INDIAN HISTORY. THE PRIME MINISTER HAD SAID DURING THE ELECTIONS THAT HE WOULD BRING BACK BLACK MONEY STASHED IN SWISS BANKS WITHIN 100 DAYS OF COMING INTO POWER. BUT TODAY, IT IS TWO YEARS AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.”[97] SENIOR BJP LEADER LAL KRISHNA ADVANI SAID THAT THE POLICE ACTION REMINDED HIM OF THE JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE AND ADDED THAT THE POLICE CRACKDOWN ON RAMDEV IS A NAKED FASCISM.[97] LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE LOK SABHA SUSHMA SWARAJ SAID: THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY. .. THE POLICE CANNOT ALONE HAVE TAKEN SUCH A STEP. IT HAD THE APPROVAL OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND FULL APPROVAL OF THE CONGRESS PRESIDENT.[97] • BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY: BSP LEADER AND UTTAR PRADESH CHIEF MINISTER, MAYAWATI, CONDEMNED THE GOVERNMENTS MIDNIGHT CRACKDOWN ON RAMDEV AND DEMANDED THAT SUPREME COURT OF INDIA ORDER AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT STATING THAT JUSTICE CANNOT BE EXPECTED FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.[98][99] • SAMAJWADI PARTY: SAMAJWADI PARTY CHIEF MULAYAM SINGH YADAV CONDEMNED THE INCIDENT SAYING THAT THE ACTION SHOWS CENTRE HAS LOST ITS MENTAL BALANCE. CHARGING THE RULINGCONGRESS PARTY, YADAV FURTHER SAID: A CONGRESS LEADER SAID THAT BABA IS A THUG. I WANT TO SAY THAT CONGRESS IS THE BIGGEST THUG AND IT SHOULD INTROSPECT ITS DEEDS.[98] THE GOVERNMENT SWOOPED DOWN ON RAMDEV AND HIS SUPPORTERS AS IF IT WERE CARRYING AN ATTACK ON A FOREIGN ENEMY, YADAV TOLD REPORTERS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.[99] • RASHTRIYA JANATA DAL: RJD LEADER LALU PRASAD YADAV ACCUSED RAMDEV OF BEING A FRONT FOR THE RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH.[100] • COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST): CPI(M) TERMED THE POLICE ACTION AT THE PROTEST SITE OF RAMDEV AS DEPLORABLE AND SHORTSIGHTED. HOWEVER, THEY FOUND FAULT WITH THE YOGA GURU FOR MAKING THE ISSUE OF BLACK MONEY FARCICAL BY ENTERING INTO A SECRET AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT.[101] THE MANNER IN WHICH RAMDEVS DEMANDS WERE DRAFTED AND THE WAY IN WHICH HE HAS CONDUCTED HIS INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, COMING TO A SECRET AGREEMENT TO WITHDRAW THE HUNGER STRIKE ON THE BASIS OF ASSURANCES, THEN RENEGING AND ANNOUNCING ITS EXTENSION TRIVIALISED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE OF BLACK MONEY AND MADE IT FARCICAL, THE PARTY SAID.[99] • SHIV SENA: THE SHIV SENA STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE POLICE ACTION AGAINST RAMDEV.[99] • JANATA DAL (UNITED): NITISH KUMAR, LEADER OF JD(U) AND THE CHIEF MINISTER OF BIHAR, CONDEMNED THE ATTACK SAYING IT IS A MAJOR BLOW TO DEMOCRACY AND AN ATTACK ON THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE ... IT IS ALSO AN ATTACK ON THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS.”[97] SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE BY THE SUPREME COURT[EDIT] THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA ISSUED NOTICES TO THE UNION HOME SECRETARY, CHIEF SECRETARY OF DELHI, DELHI ADMINISTRATION, AND DELHI POLICE COMMISSIONER. THE BENCH EXPRESSED ITS DISPLEASURE THAT BEFORE THE MATTER CAME UP FOR HEARING, THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE PETITION HAD BEEN LEAKED TO THE MEDIA.[102] ON 29 AUGUST 2011, THE COURT BLAMED THE DELHI POLICE FOR THE FORCIBLE EVICTION. THE DELHI POLICE HAD EARLIER REFUSED TO FILE SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE OF THE BRUTALITY ON INNOCENT PROTESTERS, AS ADVISED BY THE COURT.[103] AUGUST PROTESTS[EDIT] BACKGROUND[EDIT] ON 18 JULY 2011, HAZARE SAID THAT HE HAD TOLD THE PRIME MINISTER OF HIS DECISION TO GO ON AN INDEFINITE FAST FROM 16 AUGUST AT JANTAR MANTAR. HE SAID THAT HE WAS WILLING TO BE ARRESTED AND THAT THE POLICE HAD ALSO BEEN INFORMED.[104][105] ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE MUMBAI TAXIMENS UNION PROPOSED TO SUPPORT HIM BY WITHDRAWING OR LIMITING LABOUR AND THE MUMBAI CHAPTER OF INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION CLAIMED IN LATE JULY THAT NEARLY 44,000 PEOPLE HAD SHOWN INTEREST IN JOINING THE FORTHCOMING PROTEST.[106] LAWYERS OF ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT HELD PROTESTS IN SUPPORT OF HAZARE AND PLEDGED TO GO ON HUNGER STRIKE IN SUPPORT FROM 16 AUGUST.[107] THE VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD ALSO CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF HAZARES MOVEMENT, SAYING THAT FOR A STRONG LOKPAL BILL, PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHOULD SUPPORT HIS CAMPAIGN.[108] IN A POLL CONDUCTED BY INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION IN KARNATAKA, ABOUT 94.3% OF CHIKKABALLAPUR CONSTITUENCY AND 79.7% OF BANGALORE SOUTH WANTED TO BRING THE PRIME MINISTER UNDER THE AMBIT OF THE JAN LOKPAL BILL. THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT A MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION WANTED THE JAN LOKPAL BILL TO BE PASSED BY THE PARLIAMENT AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN, TOOTHLESS BILL DRAFTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE 6,000 PARTICIPANTS AT THE REFERENDUM ALSO SAID THAT BEING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SHOULD VOTE FOR THE LOKPAL, NOT AS DIRECTED BY THEIR PARTIES, BUT AS BY THE VOICE OF THE MAJORITY IN HIS/HER CONSTITUENCY. THE PARTICIPANTS ALSO VOTED TO BRING JUDGES UNDER THE LOKPAL, GIVE ADEQUATE POWERS TO THE LOKPAL TO DISMISS OFFICERS GUILTY OF CORRUPTION, MONITOR CORRUPTION AT THE CENTRAL AS WELL AS STATE LEVEL THROUGH LOKAYUKTAS, AND TO BRING ALL LEVELS OF OFFICERS UNDER THE BILL. THE QUESTIONNAIRE HAD A SET OF EIGHT QUESTIONS THAT BROUGHT OUT CRUCIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE JAN LOKPAL BILL AND THE LOKPAL BILL PUT FORTH BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND ASKED FOR THE PEOPLES VOTE ON THE SAME. AROUND TEN PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES ACROSS THE NATION CONDUCTED A SIMILAR EXERCISE AND THE RESULTS FROM THE NATION-WIDE CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONSOLIDATED AND PRESENTED TO THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN TIME FOR THE MONSOON SESSION.[109][110] HAZARES ARREST[EDIT] INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION PROTESTORS IN PUNE. ON THE MORNING OF 16 AUGUST 2011, HAZARE, ALONG WITH CLOSE ASSOCIATES, WAS REMANDED TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY FOR SEVEN DAYS. HAZARE WAS PICKED UP BY POLICE AT ABOUT 7.30 AM FROM A RESIDENCE IN EAST DELHI FOR INTENDING TO DEFY PROHIBITORY ORDERS. LATE AFTERNOON, HE WAS PRODUCED BEFORE A SPECIAL EXECUTIVE MAGISTRATE. AFTER HE REFUSED TO SIGN A PERSONAL BOND TO BE ALLOWED TO GET OUT ON BAIL HE WAS REMANDED IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY FOR SEVEN DAYS. WITHIN HOURS OF HIS DETENTION, A SPOKESPERSON FOR TEAM ANNA SAID THAT HE HAD BEGUN HIS HUNGER PROTEST WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY AND THAT HE WAS NOT ACCEPTING EVEN WATER TO DRINK. THE ARREST OF HAZARE AND SOME OF HIS CLOSE ASSOCIATES, SET OFF A GROUNDSWELL OF PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THIS APPEARED TO BE SPREADING QUICKLY. THE ARREST WAS CONDEMNED BY POLITICAL PARTIES, THE CHIEF MINISTERS OF SOME NON-CONGRESS RULED STATES, NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AND EVEN PARLIAMENT DID NOT TRANSACT ANY BUSINESS AFTER AN UPROAR ON THE ISSUE FORCED AN ADJOURNMENT FOR THE DAY.[111] AS PROTESTS BUILT UP IN SEVERAL CITIES AND TOWNS OVER THE ARREST, PRASHANT BHUSHAN, ONE OF HAZARES KEY ASSOCIATES, ANNOUNCED A MARCH FROM INDIA GATE TO PARLIAMENT HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY TO PROTEST AGAINST THE POLICE ACTION, WHICH HE SAID WAS TAKEN AT THE BEHEST OF SOME CABINET MINISTERS. DELHI POLICE COMMISSIONER BK GUPTA SAID THAT THE POLICE WERE NOT KEEN FOR HAZARE BE SENT TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY. HE SAID POLICE WERE PREPARED TO RELEASE HIM ON A PERSONAL BOND IF HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN AN UNDERTAKING THAT HE WOULD NOT DEFY SECTION 144 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE WHICH PROHIBITS THE GATHERING OF FIVE OR MORE PEOPLE AND ASK HIS SUPPORTERS NOT TO DO SO ALSO. HAZARE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIHAR JAIL WHERE HE WILL SPEND THE TIME IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY. KIRAN BEDI, ARVIND KEJRIWAL, KUMAR VISHWAS AND MANISH SISODIA, THREE OTHER LEADING ACTIVISTS OF TEAM ANNA, HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY ON SIMILAR GROUNDS. IN A MESSAGE RELEASED AFTER HIS DETENTION, HAZARE SAID THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND HE CALLED ON PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A JAIL BHARO AGITATION.[112] OPPOSITION PARTIES, PEEVED OVER THE ATTITUDE OF THE CONGRESS IN PARLIAMENT, SAID THEY WOULD MEET LATER TODAY TO DECIDE ON THE COURSE OF ACTION.[WHEN?] COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIALEADER GURUDAS DASGUPTA SAID HE HAD PROPOSED A BOYCOTT OF PARLIAMENT FOR THREE DAYS. COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) LEADER BRINDA KARAT DESCRIBED THE ARREST AS A STRONG ATTACK ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. HOURS AFTER ARREST OF HAZARE, LEADER OF OPPOSITION IN LOK SABHA AND BJP LEADER SUSHMA SWARAJ STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ACTION AND DEMANDED AND EXPLANATION FROM PRIME MINISTER, MANMOHAN SINGH SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS HELL-BENT ON CRUSHING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS.[113][114] SENIOR BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY LEADER L K ADVANI SAID HE WAS NOT SURPRISED AT THE DETENTION OF MR HAZARE AND HE CHARGED THE GOVERNMENT WITH LOOKING FOR SCAPEGOATS AND STOPPING PEACEFUL PROTESTS INSTEAD OF FIGHTING CORRUPTION. ARUN JAITLEY, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE RAJYA SABHA, SAID, THAT IT WAS A VERY SAD DAY FOR INDIAN DEMOCRACY, WHERE THE RULING GOVERNMENT TOOK AWAY THE RIGHT TO PROTEST AND THE RIGHT TO DISSENT.[115] IN PATNA, BIHAR CHIEF MINISTER NITISH KUMAR DESCRIBED THE DETENTION OF HAZARE AND HIS ASSOCIATES AS A REHEARSAL OF EMERGENCY WHICH PEOPLE WILL NEVER TOLERATE, AND A MURDER OF DEMOCRACY. PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER PRAKASH SINGH BADAL ALSO CONDEMNED THE ARRESTS SAYING THAT THE CONGRESS HAS PANICKED OVER THE MOVEMENT OF ANNA HAZARE AND ACCUSED CONGRESS LEADERS OF STASHING MONEY ABROAD. IN CHANDIGARH AND LUDHIANA, PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOOK TO THE STREETS – DESPITE INCLEMENT WEATHER – TO JOIN THE PROTEST FOR A STRONG LOKPAL. AMONG THEM WERE ACTIVISTS OF THE NGOS INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION AND AWAAZ WHO LAUNCHED A RELAY HUNGER STRIKE. TRAFFIC WAS ALSO BLOCKED AT SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS. SLAMMING THE CENTRE FOR DETAINING ANNA HAZARE AND HIS AIDES, BIHAR DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER SK MODI TODAY CALLED UPON THE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE STREETS TO HOLD DEMONSTRATION IN SUPPORT OF HAZARES MOVEMENT AGAINST CORRUPTION PEACEFULLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY.[116] IN HYDERABAD, TELUGU DESAM PARTY PRESIDENT N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU ASKED THE PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH TO APOLOGISE TO THE NATION FOR HAVING SENT HAZARE AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVISTS, WHO ARE FIGHTING AGAINST CORRUPTION, TO TIHAR JAIL. IN MAHARASHTRA, CROWDS GATHERED IN MANY CITIES AND TOWNS IN RESPONSE TO MR HAZARES CALL TO COURT ARREST. THOUSANDS POURED INTO SOUTH MUMBAIS AZAD MAIDAN SINCE EARLY IN THE MORNING, IN PREPARATION FOR THE JAIL BHARO PROGRAMME. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COURTED ARREST IN SUPPORT OF THE DEMAND FOR AN EFFECTIVE LOKPAL. MANY PEOPLE WEARING GANDHI CAPS WITH SLOGANS I AM ANNA GATHERED AT THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA SQUARE, ON THE BUSY NAGPUR-JABALPUR NATIONAL HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH THE CIVIL LINES AREA.[117][118] IN DELHI, IN PROTEST AGAINST THE ARREST OF ANNA HAZARE AND HIS CLOSE AIDES BY THE DELHI POLICE, THE MEMBERS OF ALL INDIA STUDENTS ASSOCIATION SHOWED BLACK FLAGS AND SHOUTED ANTI-GOVERNMENT SLOGAN AGAINST KAPIL SIBAL, WHO WAS TO ADDRESS A SEMINAR AT MALVANKAR HALL IN CITY.[119] HAZARE ON 16 AUGUST ASKED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO GO ON MASS LEAVE TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE MOVEMENT. UNION HOME MINISTER P. CHIDAMBARAM HOPED THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND, DESCRIBING THE CALL AS COMPLETELY WRONG. HAZARES CLOSE ASSOCIATE AND LAWYER PRASHANT BHUSHAN URGED GOVERNMENT SERVANTS TO JOIN THEIR CAUSE AND TAKE A MASS LEAVE FOR A DAY AND JOIN THE PROTESTS IN THEIR CITY.[120] HAZARES RELEASE[EDIT] AFTER PROTESTS ALL OVER INDIA, THE DELHI POLICE DECIDED TO RELEASE HAZARE AFTER HE HAD BEEN SENT TO TIHAR JAIL FOR SEVEN DAYS. HAZARE HAD EVEN REFUSED FOOD AND WATER INTAKE IN TIHAR JAIL, INDICATING HE WOULD CARRY ON HIS FAST IN JAIL. HAZARE AND HIS AIDES, INCLUDING KIRAN BEDI AND ARVIND KEJRIWAL, WERE FIRST TAKEN TO THE DELHI POLICE OFFICERS MESS IN NORTH DELHI AND WERE SHIFTED TO ANOTHER AFTER HAZARES SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN LARGE NUMBERS AT CIVIL LINES. THE DELHI POLICE SENT A WARRANT TO THE TIHAR JAIL FOR THE RELEASE OF HAZARE AND HIS SUPPORTERS WITHDRAWING BAIL BOND CONDITIONS, WHICH HAZARE HAD EARLIER REFUSED TO SIGN. OVER 1,500 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DETAINED FOR TAKING PART IN PROTESTS DEMANDING HAZARES RELEASE WERE RELEASED. CONGRESS SOURCES SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO RELEASE HAZARE AND HIS SUPPORTERS AFTER COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT KEEPING HIM IN JAIL WOULD DISRUPT LAW AND ORDER UNNECESSARILY. THE DECISION TO RELEASE HAZARE WAS MADE AFTER PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH MET PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY RAHUL GANDHI, WHO DISAPPROVED OF THE ARREST, ON THE EVENING OF 16 AUGUST. HAZARE SUPPORTERS KIRAN BEDI AND SHANTI BHUSHAN WERE RELEASED BY THE DELHI POLICE EARLY ON 16 AUGUST.[121][122] HOWEVER, ON RELEASE, ANNA HAZARE REFUSED TO LEAVE TIHAR JAIL UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO GIVE UNCONDITIONAL PERMISSION TO HOLD PROTESTS AT JP PARK.[123] ANNA HAZARE AGREED TO LEAVE JAIL AFTER DELHI POLICE GRANTED HIM PERMISSION TO FAST FOR 15 DAYS AGAINST CORRUPTION AT RAMLILA MAIDAN, A LARGER VENUE THAN JP PARK. HOWEVER, HE HAD TO SPEND ANOTHER NIGHT IN JAIL AS THE VENUE WAS NOT READY.[124] ON 19 AUGUST, AT AROUND 12NOON IST, ANNA LEFT TIHAR JAIL AFTER 3 DAYS. SUPPORTERS WELCOMED HIM WITH SPONTANEOUS ROAR AS HE HEADED TOWARDS DELHIS RAMLILA MAIDAN TO LAUNCH HIS HUNGER PROTEST.[125] PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE[EDIT] MAIN ARTICLE: 2011 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION A DEBATE ON THE JAN LOKPAL BILL WAS HELD IN PARLIAMENT ON 27 AUGUST 2011. WITH HAZARE DEMANDING THREE PRINCIPLES, (I) CITIZEN CHARTER, (II) LOWER BUREAUCRACY TO BE UNDER LOKPAL THROUGH AN APPROPRIATE MECHANISM AND (III) ESTABLISHMENT OF LOK AYUKTAS IN THE STATES, BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AGREED TO THE PRINCIPLES.[126] IT WAS THEN THAT HAZARE AGREED TO BREAK HIS FAST AFTER 12 DAYS STARTING FROM 16 AUGUST 2011. HOWEVER, ANNA FINALLY DECIDED TO BREAK HIS FAST ON 28 AUGUST INSTEAD AS HE DID NOT WISH TO BREAK HIS FAST AFTER SUNSET.[127] AT THE TIME OF BREAKING HIS FAST, HE SAID HE WAS SUSPENDING HIS FAST FOR THE TIME BEING AND WILL END IT ONLY AFTER THE STRONG LOKPAL BILL IS PASSED BY THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT. DECEMBER PROTESTS[EDIT] ANNA HAZARE ON 27 DECEMBER 2011, AGAIN BEGAN HIS FAST DEMANDING A STRONGER VERSION OF THE OMBUDSMAN LOKPAL BILL AT MMRDA GROUND, BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX, MUMBAI. THE BASEMENT OF THE PROTEST WAS SHIFTED FROM DELHI TO MUMBAI OWING TO THE COLD CLIMATE IN THE FORMER CITY.[128] THE MEMBERS OF INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION, INCLUDING ARVIND KEJRIWAL ANDKIRAN BEDI INSISTED HAZARE TO END HIS FAST TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION HIS ILL HEALTH, HOWEVER THE LATER REMAINED ADAMANT ON CONTINUING HIS PROTEST. HAZARE WAS SUFFERING FROM COLD AND MILD FEVER FOR FEW DAYS BEFORE THE FAST.[129] THE PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE IS VERY LOW IN COMPARISON TO AUGUST MOVEMENT. IAC EXPECTED 50,000 PEOPLE WHERE AS ONLY 4,000–5,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED. PARLIAMENT DEBATE[EDIT] 27 DECEMBER 2011 ALSO SAW LOK SABHA DEBATING ON LOKPAL BILL IN THE PARLIAMENT. THE DEBATE SAW BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY LEADER SUSHMA SWARAJ PUNCHING HOLES IN THE GOVERNMENTS LOKPAL BILL. SHE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN COMPELLED TO INTRODUCE THE BILL THAT ENVISAGES THE SETTING UP OF AN EFFECTIVE ANTI-GRAFT OMBUDSMAN.[130] THE DEBATE RESULTED IN LOKPAL BILL BEING PASSED TO RAJYA SABHA, HOWEVER WAS NOT GIVEN CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS AS EXPECTED. THE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE GRANTED THE LOKPAL CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS FAILED AS THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT MANAGE THE TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY[131] OF MPS PRESENT AND VOTING ON TWO OF THE THREE CLAUSES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL. ITS NUMBERS DID NOT CROSS 273 WHICH IS JUST PAST THE HALF-WAY MARK OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LOK SABHA. BOTH CONDITIONS NEED TO BE SATISFIED TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.[132] THE LOKPAL BILL WAS SENT FOR REVIEW TO INDIAN PRESIDENT PRATIBHA PATIL THE NEXT MORNING, ON 28 DECEMBER 2011. THIS IS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANY LEGISLATION THAT WILL HAVE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS. SHE LATER GAVE HER ASSENT FOR THE BILL TO BE TABLED IN THE RAJYA SABHA, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR DISCUSSION TOMORROW.[133] DETAILED TIMELINE[EDIT] 4 APRIL 2011 • HAZARE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD COMMENCE HIS FAST UNTO DEATH AND THAT THIS WOULD LAST UNTIL A COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION WAS INTRODUCED. HE CLAIMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXCLUDED CIVIL SOCIETY FROM THE PANEL SET UP TO DRAFT THE JAN LOKPAL BILL, AND IMPLIED THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WAS TO BE ON THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE – SHARAD PAWAR – MIGHT BE UNSUITABLE FOR THAT ROLE BECAUSE OF HIS LARGE LANDHOLDINGS. KIRAN BEDI AND SWAMI AGNIVESH VOICED THEIR SUPPORT FOR HAZARE.[38] 5 APRIL 2011: PROTESTERS HAVE COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF ANNA HAZARE • HAZARE INITIATED HIS FAST AT JANTAR MANTAR IN DELHI. ELSEWHERE, PEOPLE ATTENDED A PROTEST AT FREEDOM PARK, BANGALORE.[134] • CAMPAIGNERS FOR INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION (IAC) ESTIMATED THAT A PETITION CIRCULATED IN THE CITY OF PUNE WHICH DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ENACT A BILL HAD ATTRACTED BETWEEN 5000 AND 6000 SIGNATURES BETWEEN 3 AND 5 APRIL. HAZARE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH IAC, A GROUP ESTABLISHED BY VARIOUS PROMINENT ACTIVISTS WITH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING THE LEGAL ENACTMENT AND SUBSEQUENT ENFORCEMENT OF A STRONG VERSION OF THE JAN LOKPAL BILL.[135] 7 APRIL 2011 PROTESTS HAVE CONTINUED AS THE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO OFFER BETTER TERMS TO THE ACTIVISTS 1] LOK AYUKTA • INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION • RIGHT TO PUBLIC SERVICES LEGISLATION • SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES IN INDIA • LIST OF SCANDALS IN INDIA • CORRUPTION IN INDIA • CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX • LICENCE RAJ • MAFIA RAJ • RENT SEEKING • UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION • CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX • INTERNATIONAL ASSET RECOVERY • 2013 SAVE RTI MOVEMENT IN INDIA NOTES[EDIT] 1. JUMP UP^ THE PRESENT INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION IS RELATED TO THE HRA. ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC THE TERM IAC WAS DUBBED IN 1973 BY RAJ NARAIN AS A RENAMING OF INDIA AGAINST COLONIALISM, AN ORGANISATION GROUNDED BY THE HRSA IN THE 1920S.[14] THE PRESENT IAC WAS FORMED IN 2006.[14] PERMISSION TO USE THE NAME IAC WAS OBTAINED FROM THE HINDUSTAN REPUBLICAN ARMY IN 2007. ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC, THE NAME IAC CAME TO BE USED IN 2007 FOR A MOVEMENT TO MONITOR ACCOUNTS OF THE COMMON WEALTH GAMES OF 2010.[14]BETWEEN 2007 AND 2010 THIS COMMON WEALTH GAMES-IAC FILED A SERIES OF COORDINATED RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) REQUESTS TO ELICIT INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT BODIES AND GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEES.[14] ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC, IN 2010 THE NAME INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE PCRF OF ARVIND KEJRIWAL FOR A WIDER POPULAR MOVEMENT AGAINST THE EXCESSES OF CONGRESS.[14] ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT IAC, THE USAGE OF IAC NAME WAS ONLY APPROVED TO PROTEST AND LITIGATE AGAINST THE COMMON WEALTH GAMES 2010 SCAMS IN 2010, AND WAS WITHDRAWN ON 9 DEC. 2010 TO (SIC) TEAM ARVIND.[14] THE 2006-IAC OBJECTED AGAINST THE USE OF THE TERM IAC BY THIS POPULAR MOVEMENT FOR LOKPAL BILL ANDOLAN AND TO THE ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS LIKE RAMDEV, AGNIVESH, KIRAN BEDI, ARUNA ROY AND OTHERS UNDER ITS BANNER.[14] ACCORDING TO IAMIAC.COM, THIS MOVEMENT AND ITS LOGO HAVE EVOLVED FROM THE MOVEMENT INDIA AGAINST COLONIZATION,[15] AND ARE AFFILIATED TO HINDUSTAN REPUBLIC ASSOCIATION ORIGINALLY FOUNDED BY SACHINDRANATH SANYAL AND OTHERS IN 1923 AND REVIVED IN 1973 AND HAVE OFFICE BEARERS WHO HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO THE USE IF ITS NAME AND LOGO OR TO RESTRICT ITS USE. ARVIND KEJRIWAL ARRESTED IN GADKAARI CASE:INDIATODAY, MAY 21, 2014. DELHI POLICE ON WEDNESDAY ARRESTED AAM AADMI PARTY (AAP) LEADER ARVIND KEJRIWAL AND TOOK HIM IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY TILL MAY 23 AFTER A COURTS ORDER IN A DEFAMATION CASE FILED BY FORMER BJP PRESIDENT NITIN GADKARI. • FEB 3 | KEJRIWAL THINKS HE IS THE SOLE HONEST MAN: MULAYAM • FEB 1 | ANANTH KUMAR SLAPS LEGAL NOTICE TO KEJRIWAL • AAP ADDS NAMES OF MODI AND SONIA TO LIST OF CORRUPT LEADERS • PROVE ALLEGATIONS IN 2 DAYS OR QUIT: SIBAL TO KEJRIWAL • GADKARI SLAPS DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST KEJRIWAL • JANUARY 31 | KEJRIWAL TARGETS TOP LEADERS IN INDIAS MOST CORRUPT LIST KEJRIWAL WAS SENT TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY FOR TWO DAYS AFTER HE REFUSED TO FURNISH A BAIL BOND, WITH THE AAP LEADER CONTENDING ITS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLES, NOT OF RS.10,000. WE ARE READY TO GO TO JAIL FOR CALLING NITIN GADKARI A THIEF, THE PARTY HAS SAID. ARVIND KEJRIWAL. AP GADKARI HAD FILED THE DEFAMATION CASE BEFORE METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE GOMATI MANOCHA WHERE HE CONTENDED THAT KEJRIWAL HAD TARNISHED HIS IMAGE BY CALLING HIM CORRUPT.THE COURT RECORDED THE STATEMENT OF GADKARI AND TWO OTHER WITNESSES. THE COMPLAINT SAID THAT ON JANUARY 31, KEJRIWAL HAS DELIBERATELY RELEASED THE LIST OFINDIAS MOST CORRUPT PEOPLE MENTIONING HIS (GADKARIS) NAME IN A GROSSLY IRRESPONSIBLE MANNER.KEJRIWAL HAS DELIBERATELY TRIED TO MALIGN (GADKARIS) IMAGE THOUGH HE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY WRONGFUL OR CORRUPT ACT, THE COMPLAINT STATED, REQUESTING THE COURT TO ACT AGAINST THE AAP CHIEF AND PROSECUTE HIM FOR DEFAMING THE FORMER BJP PRESIDENT.GADKARI TOLD THE COURT THAT THE FALSE, BASELESS, SCANDALOUS, AND DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS AND NEWS ITEMS BY KEJRIWAL AGAINST HIM HAVE BEEN WIDELY PUBLISHED, CIRCULATED AND READ BY PUBLIC AT LARGE AND HAVE LOWERED HIS DIGNITY IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC.HE HAD ADDED THAT SUCH DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS WERE MADE WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVE AND WRONGFUL INTENT TO MALIGN AND TARNISH HIS IMAGE.BEING THEN A CHIEF MINISTER, KEJRIWAL FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF THE POST BY MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT AGAINST A RESPONSIBLE AND HIGHLY RESPECTED PUBLIC FIGURE, THE PETITION SAID, FILED BY COUNSEL AJAY DIGPAUL.HE ADDED THAT THE ACT WAS DONE WITH INTENTION TO HARM THE REPUTATION OF GADKARI, WHICH WOULD HELP KEJRIWAL TO ADVANCE HIS POLITICAL AGENDA AND GAIN MEDIA ATTENTION.THE COMPLAINANT ALSO MENTIONED THE NAME OF ASHUTOSH, NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON OF AAP, FOR REITERATING KEJRIWALS STATEMENT WITHOUT VERIFYING THE CORRECTNESS OF ALLEGATIONS, IANS ADDS. FOR MORE NEWS FROM INDIA TODAY, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @INDIATODAY AND ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/INDIATODAY FOR NEWS AND VIDEOS IN HINDI, GO TO AAJTAK.IN. READ MORE AT: indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-arrested-in-defamation-case/1/362908.html 16 REASONS WHY ARVIND KEJRIWAL WAS ARRESTED, SENT TO TIHAR JAIL POSTED BY: NAIRITA PUBLISHED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014, 18:26 [IST] USE: KEYS TO BROWSE MORE STORIES:
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 05:29:13 +0000