'Lokpal is not a magic wand'

Interaction programme on bill touted to end corruption held in Mysore

He was speaking at an interaction programme on Lokpal organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike and Suvarna Karnataka Rakshana Vedike at Rotary Centre here on Sunday.

Stating that there were mechanisms in democracy to curb corruption, he said there was only a need to strengthen them.


Mattu said the problem with Indian agitations is that we are elated at reaching one small goal and relax.

The Parliament agreeing to take into consideration the Janlokpal draft for discussion is fine, but it is not the end. The struggle should actually start now, he added. Elaborating on the role of the corporate sector in the just concluded anti-corruption agitation spearheaded by Anna Hazare, he said almost 50 per cent of the funds came from this sector.

“Everybody point at politicians and bureaucrats as the most corrupt in India, but they do not see the corporate sector behind both politicians and officials reaping all the benefits.”

He said public sector services and industries are being killed due to a very unholy nexus. Encouraging the private sector is good for the economy of the country and its people, but it should not be at the cost of the public sector.

Defending the inclusion of prime minister and the judiciary under the purview of Lokpal, Mattu said even the corporate sector, religious institutions, NGOs and the media should be included.

He said we speak about black money stashed away in Swiss banks, but we forget about the black money in equal measures finding a safe haven in religious institutions. NGOs get funds from all available sources but most of them misuse it.

However, they do not come under public scrutiny at all. The role of mediapersons in the
2G spectrum scam and the mining issue in Karnataka has come to light, but the media itself is silent on the issue.

In fact, the media should have volunteered to come under the scrutiny of Lokpal, Mattu added. “Apart from fighting for an all powerful Lokpal, the people should fight for electoral reforms, which would be a bigger solution. Only deserving people should be elected as representatives to make law. It would result in shifting of all the fight outside parliament to legislative halls. We cannot have Anna Hazare fasting for reforms all institutions. Reformation should begin with parliament,” he said.

Constitutional expert C K N Raja presided over the interaction. Critic Banjangere Jayaprakash, president of Mysore Advocates Association C Appajigowda, journalist Ravindra Bhat, president of District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Maddikere Gopal and president of Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike K S Shivaramu also participated in the interaction.