BANGALORE: “It is an insult to Karnataka to say that there are no honest and able persons for the post (of Lokayukta). However, it is difficult when you (Government) are looking at people having the same height, weight, colour or community. Appointment can be made when the government looks beyond all these (Things),” former Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde said on Tuesday.
He was replying to questions of students in St Joseph’s Evening College after giving away Diplomas in Human Rights Studies at the fourth convocation of the course.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “There are several other judges who have retired, sitting at home enjoying their pensions. I am a pensioner, too. But I am perturbed by the level of corruption that exists. This is why I have taken to the streets to put an end to the menace.”
Denying the notion that India is a ‘failed democracy’, Justice Hegde said, “I believe India is one of the best democracies with the best Constitution. The problem is that they have been abusing it for years. The best way to deal with the corrupt is by boycotting them. Stop inviting and entertaining them,” he urged students.
He further stated that corruption is closely linked to human rights.
“Corruption deprives people of basic rights and it also leads to poverty. I hesitate to call the corrupt as human beings. They are mere homo sapiens,” said Justice Hegde.