Political Diary

New Delhi, 4 July 2009

Political Maryada

ALL ABOUT KHAAS, NOT AAM AADMI

By Poonam I Kaushish

Our Right Honourables never cease to amaze. Daily we are treated to some mindless antics, inane tantrums, silly shenanigans et al. But last week took the cake. Two MPs hit the headlines by drawing a new lakshman rekha of political maryada: slapping a public servant and pressurizing a sitting High Court judge to influence his decision in a case. Frankly, it’s much ado about nothing given our present political culture, which rubbishes morality, probity and accountability as old hat. Come on guys get real, our khaas aadmis are above the law and rule by law. Governed by the distorted Orwellian concept of democracy in vogue: They are more equal than others!

The fracas started when a Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh slapped a bank manager of the Andhra Pradesh Grameen Vikas Bank, ostensibly for not releasing a loan to SC/ST beneficiaries in his district. Instead of requesting him, the MP chose to exert his might, “how dare the manager speak to me in the language which he did?” Resulting in the bank filing a police case against the MP under the IPC for assault and the employees threatening to go on strike. Luckily, all ended well with the Congress High Command displaying its heavy hand and got its MP to apologize to the manager.

However, all hell broke lose when Justice R Regupathi of the Madras High Court told a startled open court that “A Union minister talked to me. He sought to influence me to release a medical student and his doctor-father in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case concerning a forged mark sheet on anticipatory bail." Adding, that unless an unconditional apology was tendered, he would incorporate details of the conversation in his order. He then referred the case to Chief Justice H L Gokhale with a request that the matter be posted before another Bench for appropriate orders.

A cornered Government was stumped. Given the strong displeasure expressed by the Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan that the courts would not brook any interference from politicians in justice dispensation. He expected strong action to be taken to set an example that the Government means business when it comes to ensuring an independent environment for judiciary without any interference from any section. Added the Opposition, “Since the allegation has been made by a judge against a minister, we expect the Prime Minister to examine the matter at his own level and sack the Minister.”

The ruling Congress scurried for cover under the pretext that it was “very difficult” to proceed further in the matter till the name was revealed by the judge. But trust the AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha to let the cat out of the bag. “It was DMK’s Union Minister of Telecommunication Raja.” Who of course, denied any knowledge. Even as all eyes are now riveted on how the Prime Minister intends dealing with this serious issue against the clamour for the sacking of the Minister. But, this is easier said than done given that the mantri is a khaas of a khaas Party and its leader.  

Arguably, both MPs were merely doling out natural justice to their janata. Perhaps on the plea that an MP and Minister’s posts are temporary and cannot take precedence over the permanent role as ‘the andataas of the aam aadmi.” No matter that "use" of position and office is dishonourable. Is it correct for a jan sevak to abuse his official position to solicit favours? Does this not smack of unduly influencing the public servants?

Needless to say the Government finds itself between a rock and a hard place. It would be extremely difficult to justify the continuation of the Minister in the Cabinet. Any attempt to set-up the conventional way of directing an inquiry into the whole episode would be viewed as an attempt to doubt the credibility of the Judge. It would also be seen as an effort to compromise the moral values as a trade-off for an ally’s support.

Whatever the outcome, the moot point is that it goes against the tenets of democracy underscored by the political morality it entails. Alas, over the years we have become used to the ‘more equals’ playing havoc with the people and getting away with it. Wherein there is a wide chasm between the aam aadmi and our jan sevaks. And the increasing frustration and disconnect over the vandalisation of institutions by the so-called public servants.

Why, only last year we stood witness to the shenanigans of another DMK Union Minister TR Baalu when as Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister in the erstwhile UPA Government he “put in a word” to the then Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to provide gas to family-owned King Power Corporation. Being run by his sons after his resignation as Managing Director subsequent to becoming a Union Minister. After all, what was the big deal about him helping his sons? Did you expect him to help others’ children?

Recall, when the media exposed the Delhi Assembly for having met fewer than 10 days during a legislative session, instead of hanging their head in shame, the MLAs questioned the newspaper's right to investigate their behaviour. Breach of privilege, they collectively yelled. So what if we pay for them lazing around doing no work.

Clearly, the Prime Minister and the Government needs a quick recap of history. Specifically, the infamous Mundhra scandal which rocked Parliament in 1958, leading to the then Finance Minister TT Krishnamachari’s resignation. The cause celebre was the Government asking the Life Corporation of India to purchase Rs 12.4 million worth of shares in six companies belonging to Calcutta industrialist Haridas Mundhra to bail him out.

The nation-wide furore led to the appointment of the Justice Chagla Commission. During the inquiry, Krishnamachari tried to distance himself from the LIC and the actions of his Finance Secretary. However Chagla held that the Minister was constitutionally responsible for the actions of his Secretary and could not take shelter behind them nor could he disown their actions.

What to speak of Rajiv Gandhi’s action when two French intelligence officers stole documents from the PMO in 1985. In the ensuing furore, Rajiv made a statement in the Lok Sabha about the incident and his Principal Secretary P C Alexander resigned. Though he did not accept responsibility for the shocking negligence in his office, he nonetheless resigned to uphold high moral principles. Nowadays, the only resignation one hears of is when the judiciary virtually forces the Prime Minister’s hand to get a Right Honourable to resign.

Forget resignation, mum’s the word when it comes to our MPs giving a proper account of their MPLAD money, let alone their perks? How many MPs are willing to put their income tax returns open to public scrutiny? None heed Gandhiji’s wise words even as they swear by him. Said he, “Ministers should not live as ‘sahib log’ or use private work facilities provided by the Government for official duties.” Nothing could be farther from the truth today.

Yesterday’s princes have been replaced by Ministers, and MPs, who see themselves as winners. Holding offices ‘tightly’ not ‘lightly’.  Not one Minister is willing to give up his colonial bungalow and be anything less than the Burra Sahib! Lutyen’s Delhi is being absurdly treated as a holy cow.

The tragedy of India is that instead of true democracy: by the people, of the people, for the people we have reverted back to a feudal democracy. MPs are the new rajas in their red beacon cars. Barricading themselves from growing public anger with more security and erecting metal nets at rallies.

Imagine over Rs.108 crore worth of security paraphernalia has been installed at Parliament House to protect our netagan (sic). Ironically, from those who voted them in. Shockingly, the entrance to this high temple of democracy has been segregated: one for the jan sevaks, one for the aam aadmi. But, we are a democracy, sic!

Sadly, is this what our democracy is all about? Where the ‘more equals’ play havoc with the people and get away with it. At best a feudal democracy and at worst an autocratic republic. For how long? ----- INFA

 (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)