Ex-Army chief Gen V. K. Singh has urged people, particularly youths, to rise to the occasion and fight corruption.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Eradication of Corruption & Social Responsibilities: Opportunities and Challenges,' Mr. Singh said all democratic institutions, including judiciary and Election Commission, were being attacked by corrupt politicians.

He said politicians criticize democratic institutions whenever these constitutional authorities start acting against corrupt politicians or political parties. He further said that politicians had not spared even the Army.

He cited Bihar's students' agitation led by Jayaprakash Narayan in 1974, and said the state had always come forward to fight for the cause of the nation. He added that there was once again a need for the youth of the nation to come forward and fight for the nation.

Speaking on the topic, he said, "Now time has once again come for the youth of the state to rise to the occasion to take the country out of present morass."

He also said that he was ready to give the youth the leadership if they are ready to fight against corruption. He advised youths to inculcate the same sort of unity among themselves that was seen during the freedom struggle.

Chairman of Bihar legislative council Awdhesh Narain, retired bureaucrat I C Kumar, and Gandhians Nirmal Bhai and A K Nayak also spoke on the occasion.