By putting Anna Hazare and his supporters behind the bars, the UPA government has shown a blatant disregard of democratic values as enshrined in our constitution. People’s Party of Punjab, views the actions of the government, as undemocratic, unethical, immoral and in violation of fundamental rights. The protests were peaceful, they were not causing any disruptions and they had popular support. But despite this the UPA government has acted in a manner usually associated with despotic regimes. Unfortunately, this is not the first time, the center has displayed its ugly side. Not long ago, it unleashed terror on Baba Ramdev and his supporters.

Such attitude is in fact symptomatic of the way, dissent and opposition is handled today. In Punjab, PPP itself is a victim of such an attitude. We started a movement against corruption and misrule in Punjab and have since then tried to take the message to the people of the state. We have done this peacefully and by remaining within the confines of democratic principles and law of land. However, Punjab government has adapted an attitude of vendetta and punishment towards PPP. Our party members and cadres are being victimized and intimidated and in many instances bogus cases have been registered against them. The government machinery has openly attempted to sabotage our rallies and public meetings and have coerced our supporters to disassociate themselves with PPP.

Under such circumstances, it is rather hypocritical of Chief Minsiter Parkash Singh Badal to criticize UPA government’s actions. He has termed the actions of the government as “murder of democracy”. But isn’t this what his government is doing in Punjab? Clearly, CM’s action are in dissonance with his public statements. We have brought the excesses and unjust acts of his administrative machinery several times to his notice through letters and media, but he refuses to do anything about it. This clearly shows that his statement on the issue are mere perfunctory platitudes. What authority does he have to talk on corruption, when so many top functionaries of his government have been accused of financial and moral impropriety?

The support that Anna Hazare and PPP have got thus far, shows that people are fed up with corruption and seek better governance. Rather than stifling people’s voice, the governments- both at centre and at states such as Punjab should focus on weeding out corruption and immorality from their structures. Rather than adapting defensive postures, the Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Punjab, should do well, to remember, President Harry Truman’s policy where he openly admitted that, “Buck stops here.” It is the top functionary who has to own up responsibility for the misdeeds of people under him. There is no solace in the fact, that Prime Minister is clean but the ministers under him are corrupt. Such talk is plain sophistry, targeted to mislead.