Patna, June 3: The pro-active role of civil society appears to have not gone down well with Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

“Parliament is the highest body for making laws to tackle issues like corruption,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a programme held here today. Known for her measured assertions, the Lok Sabha speaker, however, was quick to add that civil society too would have a play a major role in taming corruption.

“We want from the core of our heart that corruption must end and all possible efforts should be made from every quarter to root out the menace. Everyone should fight corruption together, be it Parliament members or civil society activists or common people. They should also try on their own to end corruption,” she said.

Her assertion on supremacy of Parliament for making laws assumes significance as yoga guru Baba Ramdev is going to start a fast-unto-death at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhil from tomorrow to oppose the government’s move to keep some senior office bearers out of the ambit of proposed Lok Pal bill. His hunger strike will also push for crackdown on illicit money and repatriation of black money stashed in foreign banks.

Without naming anyone and, Meira further said: “The supremacy of Parliament must be upheld and must be followed by everyone.”

Before Baba Ramdev, social activist Anna Hazare had brought the government to its knees demanding tough anti-corruption laws. Now the Centre is feeling the heat of Ramdev’s fast call but their senior leaders have failed to convince the yoga guru.

Earlier, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan had said Baba Ramdev’s agitation was politically motivated and hence he will not support him. Commenting on Ramdev’s stand Shah Rukh Khan had said: “One should do what is appropriate for him or her. If anyone is trying to slip into shoes of a politician then that is not the right way to do it.”

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh had gone on to say “Ramdev is more a business and than a yoga guru”. Singh had also said that if the Congress was scared, Ramdev would have been put behind bars. “There is no fear that is why he is out in the open,” Singh said.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, however, supported Ramdev’s stand. “Everybody has the right to protest and put forward his or her views. Corruption at any level won’t be tolerated,” Nitish said.