Church stress broader consensus, warns abuse of law in Hazare campaign

While joining the cry against corruption in India, the Church is also stressing for a broader consensus and responsible citizenship in achieving social and political reform.

The Anna Hazare-led movement against corruption has witnessed an overwhelming public support with thousands taking to the streets, shouting anti-government slogans and demanding a strong Lok Pal Bill in Parliament.

In the wake of Hazare's fast at Ramlila Maidan and the nationwide support for his demand for a Jan Lok Pal, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) Monday called for efforts to introduce laws which would ensure transparency and accountability, and assure the citizens of good governance.

The ecumenical body, however, expressed caution against "laws and systems being abused to suit selfish motives and objectives of certain sections of society".

Calling for "all-inclusive democracy, accountable governance and responsible citizenship", the apex body of the Protestant and Orthodox churches stressed for laws to take into consideration justice and development issues of all sections of the people including the dalits, tribals and adivasis, and other marginalized sections of society.

"The National Council of Churches in India calls for national introspection and repentance. There is urgent need of restitution and reform," it said in a statement.

Further, it called upon churches to pray for the country and to do all that is possible to promote justice and wholistic growth of all sections of the society.

The Catholic Church, meanwhile, has expressed strong opposition to the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader's campaign, saying fresh reforms were to be achieved within the "existing framework".

"We have been supporting anti-corruption movements and we have done so in many forums in the past as it affects the entire country, particularly the vulnerable and poor. But having said that, the manner in which this movement has taken shape is something the Catholic Church differs with. There needs to be a broader consensus," said Fr Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

"Also, the idea that this bill will be a penultimate solution for corruption is a myth. We just cannot create one more structure and expect it to be clean. Already there are many strict laws that exist in this country but the problem lies in its implementation," he added.

Gandhian activist Anna Hazare has been on public hunger strike since last Tuesday. Thousands of supporters have gathered at the Ram Lila Maidan grounds in the capital where Hazare is conducting his fast.

Terming the government's proposed Lokpal Bill as "too weak", Hazare has vowed to continue his fast unless Parliament passes his version of the same legislation by August 30.

In a fresh bid to end the week-long standoff, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today told media that the government was open to a "reasoned debate".

He expressed that the creation of Lok Pal was not a quick fix for corruption and it needed to be "supported by improvements in the pace and quality of judicial processes".