Dear HJ core members
The Bombay High Court is right in refusing to direct the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to let Anna Hazare and his supporters use the Bandra Kurla Complex grounds for free or at concessional rates where they have scheduled a three-day fast at the venue coinciding with the debate on the Lokpal Bill in Parliament from December 27.
First, the organisation through which Mr Hazare's supporters approached the MMRDA claiming to be our organisation "India Against Corruption", ie. IAC, is not a registered social organisation, eligible for special treatment from it. Team Anna has all along claimed to be backed by Indians from all corners of the country. Given such a support base, the court is right in assuming that they will be able to pool together a sum of a few lakhs needed as rent for the venue.
But more important than this technical consideration is the high court's observation that it could not allow parallel canvassing when Parliament was discussing the Lokpal Bill, as that would amount to interfering with the democratic process. We wish the court's sagacious remarks make Team Anna rethink their strategy of exerting pressure on the supreme legislature in this way.
Also relevant is its observation on Anna supporters, citing public interest, that what was satyagraha for the anti- corruption crusaders could be nuisance for other people.
Sarbajit
The Bombay High Court is right in refusing to direct the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to let Anna Hazare and his supporters use the Bandra Kurla Complex grounds for free or at concessional rates where they have scheduled a three-day fast at the venue coinciding with the debate on the Lokpal Bill in Parliament from December 27.
First, the organisation through which Mr Hazare's supporters approached the MMRDA claiming to be our organisation "India Against Corruption", ie. IAC, is not a registered social organisation, eligible for special treatment from it. Team Anna has all along claimed to be backed by Indians from all corners of the country. Given such a support base, the court is right in assuming that they will be able to pool together a sum of a few lakhs needed as rent for the venue.
But more important than this technical consideration is the high court's observation that it could not allow parallel canvassing when Parliament was discussing the Lokpal Bill, as that would amount to interfering with the democratic process. We wish the court's sagacious remarks make Team Anna rethink their strategy of exerting pressure on the supreme legislature in this way.
Also relevant is its observation on Anna supporters, citing public interest, that what was satyagraha for the anti- corruption crusaders could be nuisance for other people.
Sarbajit
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