Throughout the post-independence history of India, there has not been a single bill as the most unfortunate and highly important ‘Lokpal Bill’ that has been so persistently and fearfully opposed and successfully pushed under the carpet by each and every government during the past 67 years.

Unable to bear with the horrendous stories of corruption by the Congress government, it was the brave Anna Hazare who finally tried to break the barrier. His determination to fast until death for the implementation of an essential anti-corruption bill, desperately spurred the Congress to defend its rogues. The government rapidly swung into action, by its quixotic and nervous move to arrest this ‘warrior against corruption’. As a result, Hazare was thrown behind bars. However, sensing the wrath of the entire nation that spontaneously rose in support of Hazare, the government realised the folly of its action, and had to release him. However, despite the unrelenting struggle that Anna continued with the support of Arvind Kejriwal — the Congress government covertly succeeded in fooling the entire nation by passing a totally diluted and ineffective Bill, falsely labelled as ‘Lokpal’ to protect its corrupt ministers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that was on the Opposition benches has happily and hurriedly accepted the fake ‘Lokpal Bill’, foreseeing the need to insulate themselves, sensing the imminent defeat of the Congress.

However, when BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came in to power, it was thought that Modi would prove his sincerity in establishing a corruption free Government, by introducing a genuine anti-corruption Bill to replace the Lokpal Bill that had been hoisted by the Congress. However, till date, Modi has not uttered a word on that, proving that he is no different from his predecessors. With so many corrupt and criminal elements in his cabinet, Modi is well aware that it would be critical for his government if such a bill came into place.

However, Modi needs to remember that the Indian electorate that recently punished the Congress with the most humiliating defeat, could very well decide to punish him as well.

— The reader is an Indian training manager based in Ras Al Khaimah