This is with reference to Tavleen Singh’s interesting edit-page article ‘Has the media become Anna Hazare’s B team?’ (ADC, May 31). One has no hesitation in saying, in answer to this important question, ‘Yes’. Some TV channels and newspapers make it a point to highlight it even if one of the members sneezes. One channel in particular caters to the goings on in the Hazare camp all the 24/7 and whips up their anti-government tirade with highly biased comments which is very unfortunate. If one looks a few months back, one would find that there was no ‘team’ then and the septuagenarian activist from Maharashtra was carrying out his anti-corruption activities, targeting a few ministers in the state, in a low key, and won appreciation for the same. But then, he seems to have had a sudden brainwave to shift camp to Delhi to tease the Congress-led government from close quarters. The Congress has managed to get hold of a copy of the final report of the CAG, quite clearly by unfair means, before it was tabled in Parliament. The CAG’s report when it is submitted officially will go to the PAC and it is enough if the government deals with its contents then. It is under no compulsion to answer baseless allegations of sef-styled saviours of public morality whose credentials are not above board..
— Dr. V. Subramanyan, Dombivli
This has reference to Kuldip Nayar’s ‘There is probably no remedy to rein in corruption in India’(ADC,May 29). Writer’s frustration is quite understandable which is shared by vast majority of Indians. Political will to reign in corruption is so weak and feeble that it is easily put on last priority. Other overriding reason for corruption to stay is the complicity of the very people who are supposed to put breaks on to it. Government’s efforts to present white paper in Parliament were highly flawed as it lacked any action plan to stop the menace of black money which is the prime mover of corruption. Political class as a whole helped block the Lokpal Bill and government was not alone in jettisoning it under the garb of procedural niceties and further deliberations. Neither country expected them to pass this bill to tighten the noose around their own necks. Had it been a bill for salary or perks hike, it would have been passed with thumping of desks in one minute but when it came to reign in corruption, both Govt and opposition were united in scuttling the bill. There is real danger to our society who has come to pass minor or major incidents of corruption as ‘normal’ and move on with their lives because they feel helpless about it. Team Anna brought with them a ray of hope but the bickering among them have led the movement astray. People have to decide if they were to be ruled by corrupt parties or they come out into the open and put their weight behind people who are honest and well meaning.
— Ashok Goswami, Mumbai