By IANS,
New Delhi : The government should strike a balance between protecting the parliament’s duty to determine laws and the individual’s right to protest, a leading industrial body said Tuesday after social activist Anna Hazare’s arrest.
The reaction from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) came after Delhi Police arrested Hazare, who was then sent to seven days judicial custody in Tihar Jail, ahead of his fast-unto-death for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.
“In a democracy the right of the country’s parliament in determining the nature of legislation and change in established law is supreme. At the same time, individual freedom of speech and assembly is an article of faith of our democracy,” said Harsh Mariwala, president, FICCI.
Mariwala further said: “Government action must find the necessary balance that strengthens our democratic institutions and conventions.”
According to Mariwala, the constitutional duties and rights need to be maintained as they are signs of stability which is necessary for investment.
“FICCI strongly feels that India’s vibrant democracy and strong institutional framework are pre-requisites for investment and thus need to be preserved and reinforced.”