From corruption to transparency: Strife to Move from Murk to Limpid

Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha
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Political patronages to corrupt and hardcore criminals, choosing them as party candidates to fight the election and inducting them in politics started gaining prominence. The country has seen ex dacoits, culprits and hoodwinkers as lawmakers who get police security at the cost of public exchequer.

Recent incidences in the country have thrown many quizzes on a custom (?) which albeit was apparent but accepted as a way of life by the people. Mingled with the social fabric, it was gradually being institutionalized. Considered a good evil, it is the corruption that ailed the society but could not be contained and people have obstreperously accepted it. One more link was added to the chain. Maharastra Home Minister Mr Anil Deshmukh resigned from the office on 05-April-2021, on the pretext of moral grounds but in reality on the grounds of corruption charges. He resigned following the Hon’ble High Court’s order of CBI enquiry on a petition filed by Ex-Police Commissioner Mumbai, Mr Parambir Singh. Hon’ble High Court order and the resignation has opened a Pandora’s Box, besides disturbing the hornet’s nest.

The incidence is not novel. The nation has witnessed many scams, corruption cases and related legal battles in past. There were cases involving scams in the defence deal, coal scam, spectrum distribution and so on. The list is long. Presently, a person who was holding a constitutional post has been implicated in money extortion through police. The incumbent minister represents people’s faith, expectations and aspirations. He takes an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution. His integrity ought to be unquestionable. The breach of trust is serious. Clean and effective leadership is key to efficient functioning and proper delivery. Corruption at the highest level corrupts the whole system and sinks it deep down in the cesspool. Constitutional machinery, the linchpin of the system, becomes a horrible cannibalistic tool when the key functionaries enter in nexus with criminally minded people to extract money by unfair and illegal means. It shatters the mass confidence leading to an anarchic situation. It is good that an unbiased CBI enquiry has been ordered by the court which would bring the facts to light and culprits to the book. 

The ailment of corruption is age-old and related to the individual psyche but the degree is controllable. Thinking about a corruption-free society, however, is a utopia. Considering it a potential threat to society and its functioning, corruption has since long been considered an offence. It has been viewed with disdain and people involved in it were considered criminal and penalized as per the law of time. Even today, some countries observing medieval feudal laws have stringent punishment provisions for proven guilty of corruption including amputations and/or blinding. 

People are taught since their childhood about the merits of honesty, dedication and sanctimony. They are expected to observe honesty since it was the best policy. Punishing and penalizing petty offenders and patronizing powerful criminals is discriminatory. Finding high profile criminals who are neck-deep in corruption roaming scot-free, people feel cheated and bewildered. It adversely affects security, safety and public order leading to chaos.

 

Majestic Dome of Vidhan Sabha
Picture by Author

India, as we all know, is a multi-religious, multilingual nation with diverse culture and customs. One thing which runs like a silver line is the feeling of one unison. It comes from the organic thought process of nationalism. Every Indian feel and own with proud in their nationality. Despite that country was vivisected on religious grounds followed by cataclysmic conflagrations, arson and massacre which led thousands to transmigrate from their soil, people wanted a society wherein everyone could get one's legitimate due as per their share and labour. We adopted a constitution and declared ourselves a democratic, secular and socialistic republic. After seven and half decades, in 2022, the nation would be celebrating the diamond jubilee of freedom. It is time to look back, introspect and evaluate our system and achievements vis a vis our goals and delivery. 

People while getting freedom have had aspirations. They wished to have a society free from oppression, discrimination, exploitation and disparity. Committed themselves to the cause of peaceful coexistence both in-house and in the matter of external affairs, people yearned for a fair and corruption-free system of their own. Have people’s aspirations fulfilled? Let us descry the incidences. 

People saw the gradual waning of systemic authority. The helpless and sometimes timid state was seen as ambivalent. Most decisions were heavily lopsided because of the corrupt practices and parochial motives. At the start, it was veiled but with time progressively gained prominence and now has occupied the centre stage. Corruption is not only about taking a bribe or monetary favour but it resides in the mind and thoughts as well. It, percolating down to the psyche and thought process, becomes disastrous. History testifies that empires were felled down because of this menace. 

Political patronages to corrupt and hardcore criminals, choosing them as party candidates to fight the election and inducting them in politics started gaining prominence. The country has seen ex dacoits, culprits and hoodwinkers as lawmakers who get police security at the cost of public exchequer. Not only this, they take part in voting on vital issues and participate in law-making activities in parliament. Some of them, though, have been acquitted but most of them are convicted with cases pending against them in serious sections of law books. 

Corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and police personnel are not in singularity. The increasing numbers of elected members having criminal records point out this stark reality. "The Hindu" in its 26 May 2019 edition had reported that 43% of newly-elected Lok Sabha MPs had a criminal record, that is, about half the number of elected members are tainted. The trend has seeped into services as well. The involvement of the members of bureaucracy in corrupt practices is increasing exponentially. The magnitude is such that those who want to play fair are sidelined, frequently transferred or punished in frivolous charges. In reply to a question asked in Lok Sabha, Mr Jitendra Singh Minister of State for Personnel said in the House that a total of 753 complaints were received against the IAS officers in 2019-20 and 643 in 2018-19. The number has progressively increased from 380 in 2015-16 to 623 in 2017-18. The number of corruption cases is on rising in every other All India Service cadres including IPS. The waning premier services, considered to be the backbone of Indian bureaucracy, is the testimony of the decaying system. 

The frequent whimsical transfers of government officers had since long been an open secret. It had taken as a source of easy money and a way to mint money by all concerned. It is rather a state policy. Despite having a perennial detailed transfer policy, the industry (!) used to mint money, flouting the norms and taking advantage of the saving clause. 

The growing corruption in electoral politics is the outcome of lust for power. The candidates used to pump money in the process to get votes. The illegitimate money was used in bribing people and the system. The inflow of money has had a system of funding circulated in the system created the notion of development. The use of money and muscle power vitiated the whole system, affected the works. The rampant corruption not only ails but also gnaws away the legitimate right of genuine beneficiaries as well. Thanks to the Election Commission of India and The Supreme Court which put up hurdles in the path of galloping corruption in electoral politics. A lot more still to be done.  

The nation pays the cost of corruption dearly. It reflects in every walks of life. Irregularities in government constructions, medical facilities and tangential favour to private hospitals are among several such examples. It hits hard to not so well off people.  

  

In ongoing state elections of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Pudducherry, corruption figured prominently. Words 'Tolabaazi' and 'Cut Money' has frequently been used to expose the degree of corruption in the government machinery. It was institutionalized, and the musclemen of local political parties were press in to collect illicit money. It hinders the development prospects of the country. Late Sri Rajeev Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, had pointed it out in 1985. Speaking in Kalahandi, he had said that of every rupee spent by the government, only 15 paise reached the poor. It had been the degree of corruption.

Electoral politics rely on votes. In a country like India that is vast, populated and diversified it is an uphill task to have a unitary system of elections. The election process is vast and lengthy. The political parties, vying for votes, try every tact to garner votes and seats. In the rat race, they try to catch hold of every opportunity to win a seat. They prefer candidates who can win by their qualities of religion, caste, money or muscle power. Ostensibly, money or muscle power is a clear winner of the race. The desired or able candidate loses the battle, and thus corruption goes on.

Who will bell the cat, then? The onus is onto us. It is strife, nay, armageddon. The war against corruption is tedious but not difficult to win. Determined WE THE PEOPLE would win it.  

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Gandhi: The Great Little man who is Still Relevant

      

            

                "Generations to come will scarce believe that 

such a one as this ever in flesh and blood 

walked upon this earth."

-Albert Einstein

After more than a century, when the great soul opened his eyes on this earth, humanity has seen numerous incidences. During his lifetime, he witnessed many gory acts and wars viz world wars and communal conflagrations that led to the loss of many innocent lives. A simple, frail, down-to-earth but strong and upright personality, he was Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi, sobriquet ‘Mahatma’.

Great thinkers like Leo Tolstoy was his lighthouse whose work 'War and Peace' affected Gandhi a lot. Known for his philosophy of truth, nonviolence and 'Satyagraha', Gandhi faithfully adhered to them and sometimes went beyond for the sake of his ideals. He called off the nationwide agitation on a single incidence of Chauri Chaura mishappening. He did not endorse the violent means adopted by immortal revolutionary Bhagat Singh and not pleaded mercy for him when he met Lord Irwin as well. "Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk." Martin Luthar King Jr had said after his assassination. After so many years of his sacrifice, however, have we yet learned a lesson?

The second day of October, the day he was born, is perennially observed as 'Gandhi Jayanti'. It is more of a ritual than an occasion for introspection; has become a vogue to remember Gandhi ceremoniously rather than to follow his ideas. After 151 years, it is an apt time to ask questions with ourself. We have made Gandhi sacrosanct and a taboo. The thoughts and philosophy Gandhi lived and died for are ostensibly becoming dull. It has become rhetoric rather than a practice. Are we following his ideas? What is ailing our society?

The incidences during and after the vivisection of the country on the false 'Two Nation Theory', the whole landmass, India that was, thrown into the blast furnace of communal frenzy. Helpless Gandhi could do nothing. He had become all alone. While the two newly independent nations were being euphoric, he was observing fast onto death to stop the deranged carnage. Gandhi was the spectator of ruthless killing of his principles. The bleeding and lacerated humanity were suffering. People forcefully uprooted from their soil, their belongings snatched and modesty of their womenfolks corrupted. 

Vanquished and desperate, they were frantically searching for protection from natural hardships and the artificial catastrophe. They needed compassion and consolation. They were provided help but did they get what they needed the most? 

Land of Gandhi, Buddha, Ram and Krishna is still reeling under the vicious thought process of vivisection. Gandhi, who advocated for self-help by promoting village upliftment, 'Sarvodaya' and 'Gramodaya', were stashed by the governments for a fairly long time since independence. The political system and the governments though were apparently in favour of Gandhian way of economy, had a clear intention of not to follow it in practice. His thought process was not given due weightage and heavy industries, big dams large metallurgical factories were established. The heavy industries were the need of time but for a nation which was utterly sucked and weak, such steps could have waited for a while. Rural India became weaker, the youths migrated to cities for jobs and a yawning gap between haves and have-nots developed. 

Violence, arson and exploitation are still prevailing. Sometimes patronized by the system, the criminal offence and violence are becoming rampant. What is the remedy? Is adhering to Gandhian philosophy the only way to come out of these convolutions? It is here we need to cogitate a bit dispassionately. Gandhian thought process does not permit flexibility but we have also seen a deviation in his approach. Gandhi, who wrote an open letter to the British people appealing them not to fight Hitler but oppose him by a spiritual force and he who had called off the agitation after Chauri Chaura instance, gave a call of ‘Do or Die’ in 1942. His ‘Ahimsa’ became subjective. If a mosquito is sucking, it is imperative to kill it.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in his book ‘India Wins Freedom’ wrote that for him non-violence was a matter of policy, not of creed. Maulana further says, “Our decision to fight non-violently was therefore compelled by circumstances. It was not a matter of creed for me and for many other Indians. If freedom could be obtained by fighting, we would certainly participate in the war.” War and violence are devastating, therefore, ought to be avoided but in difficult situations when the enemy is hell-bent, it is religious to give a befitting reply. 

In the days of cry and clamour, Gandhi and his thoughts appear relevant. His model of development was holistic for whom the soul of India resides in villages. Village upliftment should be and it is the prime importance for the overall development and happiness of the country. 

Blazing Saga of Success: India, Years after Independence

The nation celebrated its 74th independence day. The celebrations took us back in a time of euphoria. For people born post-independence, especially in the seventies and after, it is a matter of imagination. The period happened to be laden with the fervour of festivity and expression of ecstasy which would come from within hearts. The school children in uniforms would circumambulate city roads holding the national flag, raising slogans and singing patriotic songs. After the culmination of flag hosting, sweetmeats were distributed. 

Three-fourth of a century has passed since 'WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA' attained freedom after years of strife and supreme sacrifices of illustrious freedom-fighters and people. The journey all through had been an arduous one. Newly liberated but vivisected and bleeding nation was passing through traumatic times. Post-partition exodus had changed many things. Looted and dejected, the desperate victims of communal frenzy continuously poured in. Confidence building among people and rehabilitation of refugees were of utmost importance. The country had to be rebuild. Since then, we have come a long way. Constitution was adopted; paired with a robust system of governance the country staggeringly rose, started a journey on the path of progress. During the difficult times when the nation was rising, the hostile neighbours back-stabbed and thrust five wars. 

Despite all odds, people took up the daunting task of rebuilding a new nation with firm resolve, commitment and missionary zeal. The path was rough and the journey arduous. The journey started with initial hiccups. Initially, the pace of development was neither fast nor was focussed because of the feeble governments, unable to take tough decisions. The rampant corruption caused delayed completion of the projects with sub-standard results. A large number of villages were unelectrified and devoid of basic amenities like clean drinking water, health and sanitation. Infrastructure development was equal to nothing. The loopholes have now been plugged and the lethargic system revamped. 

Despite all odds, however, we have come to the point of take-off. Speaking from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August 2020, Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi said that there was a need to give a new direction to the overall infrastructure development of the country. He emphasized the importance of breaking the era of "working in silos".

Villages are now clean and uncluttered with CC drains, roads, sanitation and toilets. The fruit of technologies is reaching rural areas that are being connected with optical fibre networks to augment the use of information and computer technology. Prime Minister Modi laid the aim of connecting six lakh villages with the optical fibre network within 1000 days. Farmers are now becoming more self-reliant; getting appropriate returns of their produce. Rural poor womenfolks have been provided with gas connections and burners to cook food in a healthy environment with ease.

Defence forces are getting modern warfare, ammunitions and communication networks. In sharp contrast to the time of 1962 when the Bravehearts fought with bare minimum amenities and outdated weapons on high altitude under frigid conditions, the adequately equipped armed forces are on guard, face to face with the enemy at LAC and LOC. The borders, under the able surveillance of alert security forces and army, are now safe. Efficacious patrolling has significantly contained infiltration and aggression. The perpetrators of terrorism have been cornered and befittingly replied. Bharat, now a self-sustaining and powerful nation, is being viewed with respect all over the world. The hostile neighbours with the expansionist ideology, have realized it thoroughly. 

With a whooping139 crores population, India is the second most populous and seventh-largest country is the world's largest democracy. Blessed with lingual diversity, customs and cultures, India is one from length and breadth. A firm believer in democratic values, people tend to resolve differences and intricate problems through dialogues under the framework of the Constitution. Momentous and historical decisions, taken in the recent past, testify to the maturity of people. Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A pertaining to Jammu&Kashmir and Ladakh. Albeit an integral part of India, there were serious discrepancies. The state was divided into two separate areas declaring them Union Territories simultaneous to abrogation. Terror funding by Pakistan has effectively been curtailed and till now the terror-ridden area is fast returning to normalcy. 

With such a vast geographical area and huge but creative population problems are intrinsic. The state that reeled under terrorism and anarchy has to be brought back to normalcy. The present government is addressing issues with utmost care as per law and norms. The opposition is a crucial component in a democratic setup. Constructive opposition is a linchpin of the system which helps in steering the government to move in a proper direction. It not only points out the flaws of government and criticizes it but suggests means as well. It is incumbent upon them to maintain dignity and keep the national interest in mind while doing so. The opposition loses its sheen when to remain in the limelight for parochial gains, it starts aimless scathing without suggesting healthy means and considering the facts. It amounts to befooling people. A balance ought to be maintained for a healthy democracy to flourish. It will help in the speedy development process.