“Hum tayyar hai...” With these words former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde signalled the readiness of the India Against Corruption team in Bengaluru on Tuesday to resume the anti-corruption struggle.
Speaking on the sidelines of a campaign in Basavanagudi, Justice Hegde said, “We are ready to fight once again. Everybody who is against corruption has to fight and from tomorrow, we will start that fight.”
Resuming his agitation for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, the anti-graft crusader, said, “We will have to fight till the end and everyone should be ready to make sacrifices.” Agreeigng that corruption has to be fought to the end, he said that does not mean one must commit suicide. “I don’t know what Anna meant by sacrifice. But, yes, we will all fight till the end. We will protest. It does not mean commit suicide,” he said.
Justice Hegde also hit out at the political class. “There is absolute lack of responsibility among the politicians. After the Porngate scam hit the Assembly, at the next meeting the top leaders were found justifying it, saying that pornography was also being watched by leaders of other political parties. They were not ashamed that they were caught watching porn, but tried to justify their action,” he said. “This is why we need people to come out of their homes and unite to fight against the growing corruption and political lethargy,” he added.
Justice Hegde, who will be leading Bengaluru’s Fight Against Corruption, said that all preparations for the movement are in place. “In the last few days, we have received calls of support especially from students. This morning over 5,000 turned up for a human chain to bring awareness to fighting against corruption and for the Jan Lokpal Bill,” Justice Hegde said.