India’s best known crusader against corruption Anna Hazare, whose recent hunger strike here galvanised public opinion and forced the government and parliament to agree to pass a stiff law against graft, will now go to neighbouring Pakistan to help fight the rampant menace in that country too.
A delegation of Pakistani human rights activists and civil society members called on him in his village Ralegan Siddhi near Pune in Maharashtra, on Wednesday and invited him to visit their country to inspire the people to wage a similar struggle against corruption.
Accepting the invitation, the Gandhian activist said: “Like India, Pakistan is also facing the issue of corruption. It is our duty to help Pakistan. If my visit can encourage the anti-corruption movement there, I will certainly consider going there.”
“In fact, I will go anywhere for the sake of peace and for fighting for the poor,” he declared.
He told the delegation: “Once I recover from my weakness and complete my Bharat yatra (India tour), I am going to visit Pakistan.”
The delegation that met Hazare consisted of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, a retired judge of the Pakistan Supreme Court and member of the India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners; Iqbal Haider, a former law minister, and Karamat Ali, trade union leader and peace activist.
After the meeting with the septugenarian, Ali said: “We compliment Anna for the steps he initiated to restrict corrupt practices in India. We too are beset with corruption like India. But, unlike India, we do not have an Anna Hazare. We want him to visit Pakistan and guide us to fight against corruption.”
He said Pakistanis had followed Hazare’s fast at the Ramlila ground here live on television, and saw how he galvanised public opinion across India against corruption, and forced the government and parliament to agree to pass a stringent law to curb it. Hazare’s fast has even inspired a Pakistani businessman, Raja Jahangir Akhtar, to go on a hunger strike to battle graft.
Justice Zahid said: “Today, Anna’s words have immense power not only in India, but also throughout South Asia and the entire world. Corruption is hampering societies at large. Anna’s battle received big support from people across India because his aim was to make democracy meaningful. He can play a similar role during his visit to Pakistan.”
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN: The Island