Bhatkal: “Even after these many years of independence from British and democracy, India is still not free”, stated the ex-chief justice Santosh Hegde at the Journalism programme held by Bhatkal Taluka Working Journalist Association.

Addressing the people here, he said, “There is a lack of humanity in the government and neither honesty nor virtues can be found. Criminals are welcomed with garlands when they are released from jail after committing various crimes. In our childhood, the people who were even accused of bribery or any such crime they were boycotted by everyone.”

He also stated that the greediness of the government officials is reaching various heights and the common people are the one suffering. During 1950 the bribe amount would be 1000-2000. But now in present it has crossed crores. Even though we live in a nation which spends crores for drinking water, poor people are still having trouble in getting the basic needs fulfilled.

He also mentioned that we can see the flaws in the law and order of India by giving example of Jayalalithaa and Salman Khan.

He further gave an example stating that when in 2011 UPA wanted to implement GST there was a strong opposition from the NDA govt. But now when NDA have implemented it, UPA are having trouble with it. This shows how the government are thinking of themselves before giving a thought for the common man.