Hazare's path dangerous for Parl democracy: PM

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) With Anna Hazare's arrest creating
a storm, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Parliament that
the civil activist was trying to "impose" his version of
Lokpal Bill(anti-corruption ombudsman bill) and his "totally
misconceived" path was fraught with "dangerous consequences"
for Parliamentary democracy.
Amid an Opposition onslaught over handling of Hazare
issue, Singh defended the arrest of the activist and his six
associates, saying it was undertaken because of apprehension
of breach of peace although the government acknowledges the
right of citizens to hold peaceful protests, permission for
which can be given with "appropriate conditions".
Bowing to demands for a statement, Singh performed the
"painful duty" of reporting to Parliament on events related to
Hazare's arrest but his contention was rejected with
Opposition members accusing the government of being "arrogant"
and "intolerant" and equating its "repressive" action with
Emergency and British rule.
Making identical statements in both Houses, he said the
government does not seek any "confrontation" with any section
of the society but it has the "bounden duty" to maintain peace
and tranquility" when some sections "deliberately challenge
the authority of government and prerogative of Parliament."
Amid repeated jeers and chants of 'shame shame', he said,
"Hazare may be inspired by high ideals in his campaign to set
up a strong and effective Lokpal. However, the path that he
has chosen to impose his draft of a bill upon Parliament is
totally misconceived and fraught with grave consequences for
our Parliamentary democracy."
Replying to a debate that followed Singh's statement in
Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram insisted that the
government had done no wrong in dealing with Hazare and made
it clear that his version of Lokpal Bill was unacceptable.
Chidambaram asserted that making laws was the sovereign
right of Parliament although the views of civil society could
be taken on board.
He said "respected" Hazare has the "undoubted right" to
protest "as long as he wants" but subject to certain
conditions and hoped he would do so.
The government's defence came even as BJP, Samajwadi
Party, AIADMK, CPI(M), CPI, JD(U), BSP, TDP and BJD were not
satisfied with Singh's contention and targetted the government
over dealing with Hazare's plan to go on fast-unto-death.
Most of the Opposition parties alleged that the government
was arrogant and intolerant and equated its "unconstitutional"
actions with Emergency and British rule.
DMK, RJD and LJP, however, sang the government's tune.
Singh appealed to all political parties to ensure that the
government and its processes and Parliament and its processes
function smoothly and effectively.
While giving details of the sequence of events that led to
civil activist's arrest and subsequent release, he said Hazare
and his associates were denied permission by Delhi Police to
hold fast as they declined to accept the conditions under
which permission is granted.
Insisting that "the issue" between the government and
Hazare is "not one of different attitudes to fighting
corruption", he said the civil society activists "must allow"
the elected representatives of the people in Parliament to do
the job that they were elected for.
"With respect to the events of yesterday, I will only say
that a functional democracy must allow multiple voices to be
heard. But differences of opinion must be resolved through
dialogue and consensus. Those who believe that their voice and
their voice alone represents the will of 1.2 billion people
should reflect deeply on that position," he said.