He also appealed to all political parties to ensure that the government and Parliament function smoothly and effectively
“Anna Hazare’s arrest was needed to maintain public peace. I hope incidents of yesterday will not be repeated,” he said.
The Opposition MPs tried to disrupt Singh’s statement in the Lok Sabha even as the Prime Minister claimed that Hazare had been granted permission by the Delhi Police to go ahead with his protest fast at Jai Prakarh Narayan Park in New Delhi from August 16 subject to certain conditions.
Making an identical statement in both the houses of Parliament on Wednesday, the Prime Minister insisted that the government did not seek any confrontation with any section of the society. He said that some very important legislative measures were required to be passed and if it is not done on time, the members will be doing great injustice to Aam Admi.
He asserted that Government is willing to debate every issue in Parliament and has shown its cooperation with the opposition in every possible way that Parliament function smoothly.
Reiterating that it is the sole prerogative of Parliament to make laws, Dr. Singh said everyone in the two houses agrees that Lokpal Bill must be passed as early as possible. He said social activist Anna Hazare is trying to impose Jan Lokpal Bill on parliament. He cautioned that the way Anna Hazare is trying to do it was wrong and fraught with dangerous consequences for Parliamentary democracy.
Giving details of Anna’s arrest and his subsequent release Dr. Singh said government acknowledges the right of citizens to hold peaceful protests and the permission for such protests can be given with appropriate conditions. The Prime Minister while making his point, Dr. Singh cautioned that some forces do not want India to be a strong economy. He said people should not play into the hands of those who would not like to see India realize its true place in the comity of nations. He called for creating such an environment in which economic progress is not hijacked by internal dissension.
Expressing commitment to root out the cancer of corruption, Dr Singh assured the House of his determination to provide a government that is transparent, accountable and responsive at all times.
Initiating a debate in Lok Sabha, the Leader of opposition Ms. Sushma Swaraj said while she stood for parliamentary democracy, she will not side with the government curbing a citizen’s right to protest. She alleged that the Prime Minister has not given a factual picture to the house.
Strongly criticizing the statement, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said that the country was exasperated with the government and the level of corruption in UPA’s rule and hence people were protesting in streets.
Members from the left also criticized the government while the ruling combine members strongly defended it. There were noisy scenes and heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition party members which led to the brief adjournment of the two houses.