Just a bill can't wipe out corruption:"need to act quickly on issues concerning the common man" Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-

06/09/2011

Just a bill can't wipe out corruption: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The complete eradication of corruption needs transformation from within society and a legislative measure alone cannot do the job, says spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who played an active role in the recent standoff between the government and civil society leader Anna Hazare.


The movement against corruption, triggered by Hazare's 12-day fast in New Delhi for a stronger Lokpal bill, was a wake-up call for all political parties that they cannot take things for granted and "need to act quickly on issues concerning the common man", the founder of the Bangalore-based spiritual movement, Art of Living (AOL), told IANS.

Asked why AOL was so actively involved in the movement, Sri Sri said succinctly: "Common sense". His opinion on the way the government handled the issue was equally forthright and brief - "bad advisors".

Sri Sri responded to questions related to various aspects of the ongoing movement against corruption in an exclusive interview with IANS via e-mail.

Excerpts:

Q: What role did Art of Living (AOL) play in the recent crusade against corruption when Anna Hazare sat on fast and the nation witnessed a historic movement against corruption?(Arvind Kejriwal, a member of Anna Hazare's core team has put it on record that you yourself and the AOL volunteers played an important role in this movement). Could you please elaborate on this?

A: The Art of Living is always in the forefront of any social cause - this being a biggest cause. Of course, our volunteers had a lot of enthusiasm in participating and organising.

Just a bill can't wipe out corruption: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: What would be the role of AOL in any such movement in India Against Corruption in future? Will AOL actively participate in it?

A: The role of The Art of Living is to create awareness and bring a sense of belongingness with the whole world. Corruption begins where the belongingness ends.

Q: What was the reason for active involvement of AOL in this movement?

A: Common sense.

Q: What is your opinion about the way the government handled this issue?

A: Bad advisors.

Just a bill can't wipe out corruption: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: What is your opinion about reaction of various political parties regarding this movement?

A: It is a wake-up call for all political parties that they cannot take things for granted. They need to act quickly on issues concerning the common man.

Q: Do you think our political class is really serious in handling the issue of corruption? Do you think that parliament would actually enact strong Lokpal legislation meeting the conditions outlined by Anna Hazare and India Against Corruption? How much time could it take in your opinion for parliament to pass such a bill?

A: I do not form opinions. There are good people in all parties and there are good people everywhere. I only wish that they all come together, hasten the process and take our country forward. Just a bill alone is not enough to wipe out corruption. It has to be a transformation from within society.

Q: The aim of AOL is to build a divine society (Divya Samaj Nirman). Do you see this movement against corruption as another step towards achieving this goal? What else needs to be done at the grassroots level to move closer to this goal?

A: The Art of Living is engaged more in building a positive mindset rather than a negative, agitated mindset. Of course, agitation does help to break a system but positive pro-activity can help in sustained development.

Source: IANS