People should actively participate in Hazare's movement: Shabana

Aug 19, 2011 IANS

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Actress Shabana Azmi, who has been tweeting in support of Anna Hazare's movement on the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill, insists that as citizens of a democratic country everyone should actively support the Gandhian leader.

"It's very clear that in any democratic country the most important thing is people and their take on any issue. In a democracy, people should be active participants rather than passive recipients. Having said that, we have to give it to Anna Hazare as he has managed to pull the issue of corruption," Shabana told reporters at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week here, where she had come to attend designer Anita Dongre's show Thursday.

However, being a former Rajya Sabha member, Shabana understands that regardless of the way Hazare's supporters laid siege to the capital and other pockets of the country on his arrest, it was ultimately the Parliament which is to take the final call.

"It's a very serious issue but we must never forget that ultimately legislation is the business of parliament and it's the parliament which would ultimately pass the bill," she said.

Hazare, 74, had planned to begin a fast for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill at the J.P. Park in New Delhi Tuesday. However, Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before allowing the protest. Hazare refused to sign the undertaking, following which police detained him and his other team members Tuesday. Hazare is in Tihar Jail for the past three days.