[1]Famous writer and social activist, Arundhati Roy is not a supporter of the ongoing Lokpal movement headed by anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare, who is on an indefinite fast in Delhi to get the government to accept his version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.
Talking to the media here on Sunday after the release of the Telugu translation of her book Broken Republic, Roy pointed out that she was not wearing the “I am Anna” cap sported by millions of Anna fans, and feels the much talked about Jan Lokpal Bill will bring two systems of oligarchy in the country.
“We need to look at the Jan Lokpal Bill issue more closely, going beyond the clamour,” she said.
“Once the Jan Lokpal comes into being it will create another bunch of bureaucrats and they will be monitoring the thousands of other bureaucrats and at the end of the day, the common man will be crushed between the two oligarchic power groups,” Roy said.
Corruption should be understood not just in the matter of economic irregularities, but social inequalities as well, she said. Moreover, the private business sector and the media too should be brought under the Lokpal if the much talked about bill comes into being.
The largest bribe payers are corporations, she pointed out. She alleged that the government is giving importance to the Hazare movement while side-lining other people’s movements.
The Delhi municipality cleaning up the Ram Leela maidan for Anna’s fast is an example of this.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/arujpgcropdisplayjpg-900