By IANS,
Lucknow : People from all walks of life, including students, teachers, doctors, lawyers and professionals, turned up for a signature campaign Tuesday in support of veteran social activist Anna Hazare who has started a “fast unto death” to press for involving the civil society in formulation of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill.
Under the aegis of Association of Academic People of Society (AAPS), which primarily comprises teachers from universities and degree colleges across the state, the signature campaign was organised at the Globe Park in Qaiserbagh area.
“People virtually from every walk of life are coming here to participate in the campaign. Enough is enough, the public has realised that it’s now high time when people from all backgrounds should come on a common platform to wage a war against corruption,” AAPS secretary Anshu Kedia, who is assistant professor in a college here, told reporters.
“We don’t know how long it will take to weed out corruption from the country, but the best thing is that owing to the efforts of Anna Hazare we have taken our first step to fight corruption. The social activist is observing a fast unto death for the betterment of our country, so it’s our moral responsibility to support him in his campaign,” she added.
The Jan Lokpal Bill calls for setting up Lokpal and Lokayuktas (in states) independent from government’s control. In the activists’ version of the legislation, investigation in any case will have to be completed in one year, and punishment would be a jail term of minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment.
The government’s version recommends a prison term of minimum 6 months and maximum 7 years as punishment for corruption.
The activists have strongly rejected the Lokpal Bill drafted by the government.
AAPS members claimed they expect around 5,000 people to participate in the campaign that started at 12 noon.
“It’s not only the professionals or the elite class, but housewives, taxi drivers, those running tea stalls or small eating joints — all are participating in the campaign. Majority of the people are in the age group of 20-30 years,” said Hasan Raza, an office-bearer of AAPS.
AAPS members said similar signature campaigns would be organised in different parts of the city later.
“For the time being, it is going to be a one-day affair. But, we have plans to launch similar programmes in various parts of the city for bringing the public on a common platform to fight corruption,” said Kedia.