Press Releases Archive

Keep off Indian judiciary, Dr. JP Tells European Union

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprkash Narayan today took strong exception to the European Union sending a team to monitor the bail hearing of human rights activist Dr. Binayak Sen at the Chattisgarh High Court in Bilasapur.

“India is not a banana republic to warrant such visits,” said Dr. JP in a media statement. India is a robust democracy with an exceptional record in preserving liberty both among developing and developed countries. Successive Governments in India have not fought shy of taking corrective action whenever human rights are violated, and the judiciary addressing instances of miscarriage of justice. India has a wonderful institution in the Supreme Court to preserve individual liberty and human rights.

Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta has already appealed to the judiciary to “fast track the appeal of Dr. Binayak Sen and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done. The Indian judiciary is more than capable of addressing the issue. We do not require to be taught lessons on rule of law or natural justice by meddlesome foreigners.”

Dr. JP said excessive exuberance on the part of the European Union to monitor the working of the Indian judiciary, known for its competence and transparency, was unwarranted. Indian public institutions and civil society are fully capable of meeting the challenges in preserving constitutional order and protecting our liberties.

Even indigenous groups zealous of protecting human rights should recognize that there is a clear line between protecting human rights and preserving the nation’s self-respect.

Dr. Binayak Sen had been sentenced to life imprisonment for sedition a month ago.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 19:47

Dr. JP’s condolences Joshi and Murthy

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan expressed his grief over the death of eminent vocalist Pundit Bhimsen Joshi and philosophy professor K. Satchidananda Murthy.

People like Joshi and Murthy have enriched our lives with their contribution in their chosen fields. We have to celebrate their lives.

It is a tragedy of our times that wallowing in politics day in day out, we often fail to give due recognition to the stalwarts who have made India what it is today. Politics should be a means and not an end by itself, Dr. JP said.

Dr. JP described Bhimsen Joshi as an accomplished exponent of the Kirana Gharana and Murthy as a great scholar and teacher.

Monday, January 24, 2011 - 19:37

Lok Satta condemns threats against KCR

The Lok Satta Party today condemned Mr. Toorpu Jayaprakash Reddy (Jagga Reddy), Sangareddy MLA, for threatening to prevent TRS President K. Chandrasekhara Rao from entering his constituency, and welcomed his arrest. Holding out threats and fomenting hatred and violence did not befit a member of the Legislative Assembly who had taken a oath to abide by the Constitution.

In a media statement, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and Bandaru Ramamohan Rao pointed out that successive Governments had been resorting to programs like ‘rachchabanda’ to pose as great benefactors, instead of empowering people through strengthening elected local governments. Yet, the party would like people to utilize the program to pin down officials and elected representatives on their problems and register their protest. The Government should not show any leniency towards those who try to disrupt them.

Even as people are entitled to agitate for a legitimate cause in a peaceful and constitutional way, they should not incite others to hatred or violence, or deploy indecent language against their rivals, the Lok Satta leaders added.

Monday, January 24, 2011 - 19:34

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