Hazare fast: HC slams Team Anna over seeking exemption

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Coming down heavily on Team Anna's agitation, the Bombay High Court today said it can't allow 'parallel canvassing' when Parliament is seized with debate on Lokpal Bill and questioned its decision to seek exemption from charges to use MMRDA grounds for Anna Hazare's proposed fast.

The court refused to interfere in the matter, saying it cannot ask government authorities (MMRDA) to grant them exemption.
"It is not judicable. If we pass an order allowing your petition then even we will be interfering with the functioning of Parliament," a division bench of justices P.B. Majmudar and Mridula Bhatkar observed.

"We can't allow parallel canvassing when Parliament is seized with debate on the bill. You can propagate the bill sitting at home. Till now the bill has not been passed. No one knows what form and what features it will have. Is public debate permissible at this stage?," the court asked.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Jagrut Nagrik Manch, affiliated to Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption, seeking direction to government to allot the MMRDA ground in suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex either for free or at a concessional rate.

Disapproving of the agitation despite the Lokpal Bill being tabled in Parliament, Justice Majmudar asked, "How is country's interest involved? We are a democratic set up. We have elected a government. Wouldn't your agitation interfere in the functioning of Parliament? The bill will be debated in Parliament where our elected representatives will plead our case."

The court further said that as judges they have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and law.

"Under which law are you (petitioner) asking for exemption? It might be Satyagraha for you but for some other factions it might be a nuisance," it said.

The bench, however, asked Maharashtra government to inform whether it was ready to open the gates at Azad Maidan, the second option available for holding the fast from December 27, to allow Team Anna to have access to a larger area.

When the counsel for the petitioner informed the court that they have got permission for holding the fast in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the court said: "If Ramlila Ground is available, why don't you hold fast there."

Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare performs yoga at his village in Ralegan Siddhi on December 22, 2011.

Big sum

Hazare has threatened he would agitate inside jail if not given a proper venue for his hunger strike for a strong Lokpal bill in Mumbai from December 27.

For the MMRDA ground, a rent of Rs.3.5 lakh per day, plus a deposit, has been demanded.

Delhi 'not an option'

The winter cold in the national capital ruled it out as an option for Anna Hazare's agitation from December 27 for a strong Lokpal bill, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi has said.

"Delhi is not an option because of the cold weather and you have to respect his (Hazare) age of 74. Not only Anna but there would be many others who would fast with him and people will stay back," Bedi told reporters here.

"It's also for the health of the others that Anna cannot fast in Delhi, so we have to be in Mumbai,? she added.