Lokpal Bill Debate in Rajya Sabha: Highlights of Abhishek Manu Singhvi's Speech
New Delhi: As the Lokpal Bill is being debated in the Rajya Sabha, here are the highlights of what Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress spokesperson, said on the floor of the Upper House:
- Would have invited Jaitley to help gift us a strong Lokpal as a birthday present. But BJP is parsimonious in giving birthday presents. So don't do it for our sake but join us in passing a Lokpal Bill for the sake of the nation. No use putting a string of conditionalities in your statements. No use saying I want to pass a strong effective bill after three months after referring it again to a committee, after further discussions. You are using conditionality as a pretext not to pass the Bill. If you don't want to pass the Bill, say so. Have the courage of your convictions.
- On process of CBI and investigation, let's look at it seriously, not with the intent to ridicule. CBI is 70-year-old organization. Should birth of a Lokpal mean automatic destruction of every other institution? A 10-year-old CVC, a 70-year-old CBI?
- You want one Lokpal, subsume CVC and CBI under Lokpal, move Citizen's Charter under Lokpal, allow Lokpal suo moto power, have prelim inquiry by Lokpal, actual investigation by Lokpal, prosecution by Lokpal. Thank God you did not say judgement must also come from Lokpal. You are creating a behemoth of unimaginable proportions. PM's office will look like pygmy in comparison.
- You are creating breeding ground for corruption. You are making a body outside the whole system, with inherent conflict of interest. Our conception is of checks and balances. Of equilibrium between holy trinity of CBI, CVC and Lokpal. That is how our Constitution is framed. This bill abolishes need for prior sanction for investigation against govt servants. We have said for 60 years we should have some difference between prosecution and investigation. This separation is created by the bill.
Singhvi's Speech on Issues of Society
Singhvi on free speech Abhishek Manu Singhvi wrote an article for the Times last week – “Unpopular free speech”-
Are we, as a nation, losing our capacity for tolerating free speech, which is contrary to our views or sensitivities? Are we so hemmed in by the burdens of propriety or public office or identity politics or regional compulsions or the pressure to conform or other media pressures that unconventional or radical views are suppressed? Are humour, creativity, free speech, the right to be eccentric and a maverick being compromised.The boundaries of obscenity have, since time immemorial, been the battlefield of such conflicts. Courts have valiantly extended society’s limits of tolerance by inclining towards free speech and artistic expression. But the issue being raised here is not one of legal interpretation but of diminution of space of the simple right to hold and propagate unpopular views without being gagged or demonised.
In each of the following examples, what is least important is the correctness of the views involved or agreement with them. The issue is society's capacity to even begin to understand or appreciate these contrary views, without violent disagreement and punitive action. The first is our willingness and capacity to even contemplate the possibility of Moninder Pandher's innocence in the Nithari case. Is it possible that any alternative to his conviction was too disgusting and would have subjected all actors to societal ridicule and unimaginable media pressure? The verdict records Pandher's presence in Australia at the relevant time but finds him guilty as an abettor on no more than the principal accused's statement that Pandher must have known since he occasionally lived in the same house. No wonder that no less than the CBI had earlier found Pandher not guilty after detailed investigation.
Govt has walked the 'full mile' on Lokpal: Singhvi
Taking on the Opposition over their reservations about the Lokpal Bill passed by the Lok Sabha, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the Lokpal as conceived by them would be a mammoth that would not be in anybody’s control. Putting forth the government’s defence in the Rajya Sabha where the bill was tabled today for discussion and vote, Singhvi asked the Opposition: “First answer the fundamental question, do you want to pass the bill or not?” “Opposition must explain if it wants to pass the bill. BJP is trying to mislead the nation. They should clarify their stand…Please be honest in your conviction,” he quipped. “You want to subsume the CBI, CVC, central govt charter under the Lokpal?...Thank god you didn’t say that give judgement by Lokpal!” Singhvi said." We have the courage of our conviction. We have walked the extra mile. We are pioneers of social engineering. We are brave enough to think differently, bold enough to act differently because we believe we can change the world."
Abhishek Manu Singhvi , who is an Indian politician belongs to Indian National Congress party. Abhishek Manu Singhvi is a man with diverse interests and keeps himself indulged in creative activities too. He is also a Member of the Parliament of India representing Rajasthan in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Abhishek Manu Singhvi was formerly the spokesperson of the Congress party. Apart from being a renowned name in the world of politics and a member of the parliament, from Rajasthan, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been actively writing columns in several newspapers.Abhishek Manu Singhvi always had time to appear in the electronic reports channels and has ensured to contribute his bit by submitting his voice to the print media. Abhishek Manu Singhvi's association with the media has been noted since a long time, with the help of his expression force and communication through his amusing and humorous, self-possessed non emotional conversational talks.