Thaindian News

Dhaka, Aug 30 (IANS) Indian activist Anna Hazare’s movement comes as a “timely alert” to Indian leaders, a leading Bangladeshi daily said Tuesday.

Anna Hazare’s 12-day fast for a strong anti-corruption bill ended Aug 28 with the government agreeing to his three key demands.

An editorial in the Daily Star said the hunger strike’s end “signifies a triumph for Indian democracy and the civic society movement”.

“It brought the parliament, political parties and civil society on to the same page, with the people as the cardinal catalytic factor,” it added.

The editorial noted that in many democracies “the people’s representatives soon after elections become de-linked from the very roots of their power — the people — Hazare’s movement comes as a timely alert to India’s leaders, pulling them out of their stupor and giving them a reality check”.

Lauding the Indian polity, it said: “The episode has demonstrated the maturity of Indian politics and the consensual approach adopted by the ruling and opposition parties in embracing Hazare’s cause is exemplary.”

It went on to say that in Bangladesh “corruption is a major concern”.

“The safeguards against it are weak, with the instrument to fight against it, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), itself made toothless. Many of our ministers and MPs become alienated from the people halfway through the tenure of the parliament.

“Unless there is some mechanism for them to realise their growing hiatus with the people their purpose as elected representatives is lost. As for any pro-people dynamics between the ruling and opposition parties, the less said the better.”

The editorial added that there was “much to be learnt from the message of Anna Hazare’s movement”.