By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Shillong, which is also supporting Team Anna with the rest of the country, is no way behind in this chorus against corruption. Commoners from a shopkeeper to a porter in the city are all for the cause of Anna Hazare to see a corrupt-free country..
Speaking to The Shillong Times, a shopkeeper from Dhankheti said that it is not only about the future of the people but also the country. “If we don’t support Team Anna now, the politicians are going to ruin the entire country for their selfish motives,” he said.
“The very fact that such an important Bill has not seen the light of the day for the last forty two years is disgraceful to the nation.Government feeling there is no urgency to address this issue only proves their insincerity,” said a college student.
A LP School teacher opined, “It is indeed a dishonor that India as a nation are put to shame as other nations have labeled us as one of the most corrupt nations.”
A clerk of a nationalized bank said that the action taken by Gandhian Hazare befits Indian democracy. “These rogue politicians know no language as no discussion into this grave issue is going to help the nation. Hunger strikes, fast unto death are the only way out,” he said.
Like him a housewife who has been harassed by the authorities for availing a form for a new ration card said discontentedly, “This country does not seem to be our own anymore because one who has money and power can only get their way out.”
The vegetable vendors and fish sellers from Iewduh and other markets from the town, who are unable to meet their end due to inflation “are forced to lead a miserable life”, they said.
A fish seller, who has two unemployed children, from the fish lane in Iewduh opined, “At this point of time when the country is fighting inflation and unemployment due to rampant corruption plaguing our country we cannot get any better leader than Anna Hazare. He has taken the right step against the Congress misrule at the centre.”
Petitioners awaiting justice from a court of law opined that the growing sarcasm with long delays in the judicial process in the country is an important factor behind the growing cynicism about the rule of law in our system.
One such plaintiff who is awaiting justice for long said that an independent and empowered institution, like the Lokpal and Lokayukta, which can investigate corruption complaints and can take up prima facie cases, can go a long way in solving the skepticism that surrounds law, today.
But these commoners opined that though everybody is awaiting a positive action from the government to pay heed to the voice of the public, one can only wish that the Jan Lokpal Bill should not meet the same fate like other laws passed by the country since the efficacy of any law is guided by its proper implementation.