IMPASSE LINGERS BETWEEN INDIAN HUNGER STRIKER AND GOVERNMENT

[Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the governing Indian National Congress Party who is widely viewed as a future prime minister, broke his conspicuous silence on the issue Friday with a parliamentary address in which he recommended that any new anti-corruption agency, or Lokpal as it is known, become a constitutional body that is answerable to Parliament.]

By Jim Yardley

NEW DELHI — The impasse between the anticorruption campaigner Anna Hazare and India’s government extended into Friday, as Mr. Hazare maintained his hunger strike while leaders in Parliament prepared to discuss his proposal for an independent anticorruption agency.

Expectations had been high that Mr. Hazare, 74, might finally end his fast on Friday, its 11th day. On Thursday, India’s Parliament, prodded by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accepted one of Mr. Hazare’s key demands by agreeing to debate his legislation. But the actual introduction of the bill was delayed Friday, and parliamentary leaders said another day might be needed.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the governing Indian National Congress Party who is widely viewed as a future prime minister, broke his conspicuous silence on the issue Friday with a parliamentary address in which he recommended that any new anticorruption agency, or Lokpal as it is known, become a constitutional body that is answerable to Parliament.

Mr. Gandhi, a general secretary of the Congress Party, also called for the government funding of elections, transparency in government contracting, tax reform and tougher regulation over land acquisitions and mining.

“Witnessing the events of the last few days, it would appear that the enactment of a single bill will usher in a corruption-free society,” Mr. Gandhi said. “I have serious doubts about this belief.”

From Ramlila Maidan, the public ground in New Delhi where he has been staging his hunger strike, Mr. Hazare gave no indication of when, and if, he would end his fast. Hundreds of thousands of people across India have joined peaceful marches or protest rallies to support his anticorruption movement. His protest has brought the nation’s political process to a standstill.

On Thursday, Mr. Hazare and his advisers demanded that Parliament not only introduce their legislation but also pass a resolution committing their support to three key issues, focusing primarily on extending the jurisdiction of a federal Lokpal to the state level and including local officials under its purview.

By midday Friday, no deal had been struck on the language of such a resolution, though Indian news media reported that Mr. Hazare’s team was exchanging proposals with the prime minister.

The unusual spectacle of a private citizen, Mr. Hazare, attempting to dictate terms on the passage of a law to India’s Parliament has sparked growing criticism that his effort threatens to undermine India’s democratic institutions. In his speech, Mr. Gandhi warned that any attempt to undo the checks and balances of the parliamentary system “sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy.”

“Individual dictates, no matter how well intentioned, must not weaken the democratic process,” Mr. Gandhi said. “This process is often lengthy and lumbering. But it is so in order to be inclusive and fair.”

Mr. Hazare has demanded that Parliament introduce and pass his legislation by Tuesday, a deadline that now seems impossible to meet. He has lost more than 12 pounds during his fast and has rejected advice from doctors that he accept a glucose drip to prevent kidney problems. As yet, though, Mr. Hazare’s health is not considered threatened, and he has been making one or two speeches a day to the thousands of supporters gathered around him.

Hari Kumar and Nikhila Gill contributed reporting. @ The New York Times

SON OF ASSASSINATED PAKISTANI GOVERNOR IS KIDNAPPED, POLICE SAY
[There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not clear whether the abduction was related to the Taseer family’s stand on the blasphemy laws or had financial motives. The Taseers have expressed apprehension about their safety in the past and have said that they continue to receive threats from Taliban and Islamic militants.]

By Salman Masood

Shabaz Taseer: Google Image

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Gunmen abducted the son of a slain former governor from the eastern city of Lahore on Friday, relatives and police officials said.

Relatives confirmed the kidnapping of Shahbaz Ali Taseer, the son of Salman Taseer, the former governor of Punjab Province, who was assassinated in January in Islamabad by one of his security guards. The assassin, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, later said he killed Mr. Taseer because of his opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not clear whether the abduction was related to the Taseer family’s stand on the blasphemy laws or had financial motives. The Taseers have expressed apprehension about their safety in the past and have said that they continue to receive threats from Taliban and Islamic militants.

“We cannot talk to the press right now but whatever you have heard is true,” said Sheherbano Taseer, a sister of Shahbaz Ali Taseer, before abruptly hanging up the phone.

Before his assassination, Governor Taseer had emerged as one of the country’s most vociferous opponents of the blasphemy laws. Critics claim the laws, which call for a mandatory death sentence for anyone convicted of insulting Islam, have been misused to target minority Pakistanis

The elder Mr. Taseer’s stand on the contentious issue provoked hard-line Islamists in the country and death threats were issued against him.

Friday’s kidnapping is the second high-profile abduction in Lahore this month. On August 13, an American development expert, Warren Weinstein, was abducted from his residence. Mr. Weinstein is still missing and there has been no demand for ransom or claim of responsibility, police officials say.

Shahbaz Ali Taseer, who is thought to be 27 or 28 years old, was serving as a director of First Capital Securities Corporation Limited. On Friday, he was traveling in his Mercedes-Benz without any security escort before being stopped by a group of armed gunmen at a busy traffic intersection.

The news of the abduction met with immediate condemnation from government officials, friends and supporters of the Taseer family.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani ordered police officials to ensure an early recovery of Shahbaz Ali Taseer.

Rana Sanaullah, the Punjab law minister, said Mr. Taseer had been provided a security detail but had chosen to leave it behind at the residence before heading to the office on Friday.

“The federal and provincial governments must ensure that the younger Taseer is recovered speedily and his abductors are held accountable,” Human Rights Watch, a New York-based advocacy group, said in a statement.

“This family has suffered too much already and given the security threats directed towards them in the aftermath of Governor Taseer’s death, this kidnapping underscores the failing writ of the state and its inability to provide security even to those known to be at high risk.”

@ The New York Times