A child looks on as supporters of Indian social activist Anna Hazare participate in a candlelight vigil in Hyderabad on August 24, 2011.NOAH SEELAM/AFP / Getty Images
Anna Hazare, India's anti-corruption crusader, has already lost 14 pounds during the first 10 days of his Gandhian fast. Support for his campaign is monumental; citizens angry about the country's rampant graft and nepotism are mobilizing in many cities.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had previously called Mr. Hazare's mission a threat to democracy, reversed course. He called upon the Indian Parliament to consider Mr. Hazare's proposals, saying he respects his idealism. The Prime Minister, however, did not capitulate to his demand that the government pass his draft anti-corruption law.
Mr. Singh was right to hold his ground. One citizen should not be able to dictate an important piece of legislation.
While Mr. Hazare deserves credit for galvanizing attention on the festering issue of public corruption, it is now time for him to end his fast, and accept the government's peace offering.
Eradicating a culture of bribery and a widespread system of state patronage is necessary if India is to continue to prosper and grow. The country is among the most corrupt in the world, according to a 2010 report by Transparency International. Indians view political parties and Parliament as society's most corrupt institutions; and nearly three-quarters believe the problem has worsened over the past three years.
Mr. Singh has promised Parliament will hold a full debate on Mr. Hazare's proposed legislation, which seeks to create an anti-corruption ombudsman who would hold all government officials, including the prime minister and high-court judges, accountable.
The government has introduced a watered-down version of the bill, but hasn't agreed to make low-level bureaucrats accountable to the unelected ombudsman.
Clearly, reform is overdue in India. Mr. Singh has telegraphed his intent to change a culture that tolerates bribes for everything from registering a baby to buying land; to end the corruption in the awarding of government contracts; and change the way political parties are funded.
But these reforms need to be made through debate, within India's democratic institutions, not dictated by one influential crusader.