We were always open to discussion: Justice Hegde

Justice Santosh Hegde, who has been leading the movement on the Jan Lokpal Bill in Bangalore, says that a wrong notion has been created that the members of the civil society are in no mood to even discuss issues with the government. "We were always open to discussion, but it is important that even the government has an open mind about the issue," he said.

However Justice Hegde, who in an interview recently said that the bill has no meaning if the prime minister and the judiciary are kept out, now says: "If this issue is the bone of contention then I personally have no issue, although I would have to convince my team members. I can persuade them to drop this issue, but the government should be open to considering the other six issues which they had disagreed when we had our deliberations."

On the ongoing agitation and the tussle, Justice Hegde says that the government behaviour has been shocking. "I hope they have realised their mistake and at least get a proper bill in place since the entire nation want an explanation," he said.

"They have not only behaved in a shocking manner but have also murdered democracy. How could a person be detained even launching a protest," the former Karnataka lokayukta questioned.