Save India from kleptocracy, Appeal social activists

Hyderabad, Mar. 23 - Leading civil society activists of India today regretted that democracy in the country has been turned into kleptocracy and underlined the need for a thorough cleansing of the political system.

Taking part in a media conference organized in connection with the launching of a 'Surajya' movement under the auspices of the Lok Satta Party, they said the future would be doomed if attempts are not made to save democracy now.

The participants included Mr. Sandeep Pandey, Magasasay Award winner, Ms. Madhu Kishwar, doughty warrior for women's rights and Editor, Manushi, Mr. R. Desikan, famous consumer activist and founder, Catalyst Trust and Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta Party President.

Mr. Sandeep Pandey and Mr. Desikan released a booklet on 'Surajya' movement brought by the Lok Satta Party.

Mr. Sandeep Pandey said that "politics has become a profession and not service. People invest in politics so that they can reap huge returns on coming to power. Corruption has been integrated into politics as a result of which funds are siphoned from Government schemes meant for development".

Mr. Pandey pointed out that all parties have become anti-people. Parties don't function on democratic lines and some of them have become dynastic. In Left parties, the decision making is centralized. The country is running the risk of losing even its sovereignty since decisions on crucial economic issues are made outside Parliament. He commended the Lok Satta for presenting a clean alternative.

Ms. Madhu Kishwar commended the Lok Satta Party for adhering to the legacy left by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh at a time all other parties used them as mere totems. She praised the Lok Satta Party for having a national vision at a time the so-called national parties in Maharashtra shamelessly surrendered to the attacks on non-Maharashtrians in the recent past.

Ms. Madhu pointed out that sovereign citizens have been turned petitioners in the present system. She appealed to people to shed their illusion that a Mahatma would rise and rescue them. Instead, every one should strive to change the system. She hoped that the Lok Satta Party will bring about a paradigm shift in Indian politics.

Mr. Desikan said that in the Indian set up, panchayats have been stripped of their powers. He pointed out that politicians floated colleges and hospitals merely to make money and not to serve the public.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that the 'Surajya' movement aims at cleansing the political system, put an end to abuse of power, and 'legal plunder', and ensuring that all, irrespective of their birth status, have growth opportunities, that all are equal in the eyes of law and justice, and that people enjoy power at their doorstep.

In the morning, a conference of Surajya activists took place at the Press Club. It was addressed by Dr. JP, Mr. Sandeep Pandey, Mr. Desikan and Ms. Madhu Kishwar. The other participants were: Pratti Seshaiah, Karnati Lakshminarasiah, Chandana Chakravorty, Garimella Narayana, Bodepudi Satyanarayana, DVVS Varma, Srihari, Bhumalingam and Mohd. Yaseen.