On 21 August 2011 03:25, Sandeep Heble <[email protected]> wrote:
[1] There is no disconnect between 'Team Anna' and the Indian Constitution. [2] Anna has not put a gun on anybody's head to get his version of the 'Lokpal' passed. [3] The Constitution of our Country gives every citizen the fundamental right to indulge in any peaceful form of protest. 'Hunger strike' is one such democratic 'Instrument of Protest' which has been given to us by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation. [4] If such peaceful forms of protest too aretaken away from us, the time will not be far when people will be left with no option but to pick up arms and ammunition - which can lead us to dire consequences; which can tear the fabric of our Nation into pieces; which is what is happening in Maoist ruled areas. COMMENT: re # 3 and 4: I suggest that Sandeep reads a bit more and widely. The 'Hunger strike' as a democratic 'Instrument of Protest' (which incidentally has Christian origins), was "given" to residents/citizens of the Indian subcontinent way before Mahatma Gandhi. The so-called 'Maoist struggle' is far more complex than the Sandeep-statement above suggests. I submit that it will be solved about the same time Dabolim airport is returned to civilian control and Catholic pilgrims are allowed to visit the church at Anjediva regularly - if at all) [Mr. Manohar Parrikar may wish to provide additional comment]. I agree that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right protected by most democratic Constitutions. I am absolutely sure, however, that enforced Bandhs are not. [Once again, Mr Heble and Mr. Parrikar may wish to comment]. # 1 is an Oxymoron. The so called "Anna team" is NOT a statutory body. The question of any "disconnect" between the "team" and the Constitution is an unwarranted hype relevant to the "team". Unconstitutionality ONLY arises when an unelected LokPal attempts to usurp authority over the 3 main pillars of a Constitutional democracy.... esp the Judiciary. (I note that the "team" has recently developed some sense wrt to this point, albeit, after the Congress objected to the provisions of the Jan LokPal bill) re #2: Really? !, In the same vein, I suppose, some may say that the Goa Bandh was entirely voluntary. jc
