In a democracy, hunger strike is tantamount to blackmail and Anna Hazare’s show was a blackmail that could set dangerous precedents says well-known actor Sharmila Tagore (TOI). When elected representatives and ministers loot the nation and indulge in Kleptocracy, it is far more dangerous than peaceful protest. Tagore who is a well-known public figure should not indulge in propagating the line of the corrupt ruling class. In fact she should condemn the political class that has corrupted the common man to the hilt during elections. Look at the thousands of crores spent to buy votes in the recent Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The police have found Rs. 50 Crore in one instance.

In the first instance why should people resort to a hunger strike to get discharging of just, fair and legitimate duty from the political class when they have been elected to do these? If they fail miserably hunger strike is just a weapon to bring focus on the issue to get the situation remedied. When the hunger strike is led by a man of impeccable public record, millions support. The groundswell support indicates the grave reality of the wrong. People who call this blackmailing or dangerous to democracy are trying to defend the corrupt class. This will not hold.

Ramdas Athavle says people like Ramdev Baba or Anupam Kher should not be seen in the movement (DNA). Why? Anybody who supports the anti-corruption campaign has a right to be seen together as one united force.

In fact politicians like Ramdas Athavle who is the leader of the downtrodden should join in one voice against corruption along with others. Politicians like Ramdas Athavle and actor Sharmila Tagore if they politicize the corruption issue, the backlash from the common people will be manifold. Well-known public figures should at least now say enough is enough and fight as one force to end the misgovernance of the  Kleptocratic political class which is endangering our democracy.