We cannot support violent agitations - Justice Santhosh Hegde

We cannot support violent agitations - Justice Santhosh Hegde

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jun 10, 2011: Justice N. Santhosh Hegde, the Lokayukta of Karnataka, said that they, a small group of people following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, cannot approve of all the demands placed by Baba Ramdev before the central government.

Clarifying his stand, he said that they can only support Baba Ramdev’s fight against corruption, and not the rest of his demands. He said that they strongly demand the implementation of the Lokpal Bill and support the anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare, which is completely non violent and apolitical and for a noble and essential cause.

Expressing his fear that some of Baba’s demands can lead to division of the country, he said that one cannot support Baba’s demands for the compulsory use of Hindi in formal education and daily transactions.

Justice Hegde also expressed his disapproval of Baba’s remark that he would raise his own army of 11,000 volunteers and give them defense training. Expressing unwillingness to support violence in any form, he said that they will support only peaceful protests against corruption such as the one led by Anna Hazare.

Stating that efforts are now being made to subvert the movement, he said that an emergency-like condition is least likely to arise at present, but that they would fight till the Lokpal Bill is implemented.

Expressing concerns that certain politicians are doing everything in their power to weaken the Lokpal Bill, he said that this is not a healthy situation for a democratic country like India.