Open Forum

New Delhi, 6 January 2012

Anna’s Voice 

PRICKING NATION’S CONSCIENCE

By Mithun Dey

The recent murky controversy over the non-passage of the Lokpal Bill and a complete failure of Anna’s third innings, has led to an unnecessary debate picking winners and losers. Besides, we now have political parties trading charges over each others’ moral credentials. However, the fact of the matter is that the fight against corruption is not about scoring brownie points. Instead, it has a lot to do with pricking the nation’s conscience—to stir the system to act upon the rot that has set in.

Nobody has any doubt that putting the Lokpal in place before the turn of 2011 would have eradicated corruption. It would be terribly naïve to wish so. However, the manner in which Anna Hazare and team hammered fixing a deadline for the proposed anti-corruption mechanism to take shape and forcing a hasty response from the powers-that-be kindled the hope that at least the issue had taken centre stage. Parliament’s nod to the legislation would at best be a sign of a making a commitment to end the malaise that has set in. The Bill to become effective would, therefore, need to include the amendments suggested to ensure that all political parties were on board.

At the same time, the momentary failure of the ongoing fight against corruption should neither be seen as the end all nor a reason to be pessimistic. Annaji may be down but not out. Let us admit that he is not an individual but a symbol of the people’s fight against corruption. Can he and team alone root out the menace of corruption? The answer is an obvious no. But, it cannot be denied that the Gandhian’s movement has nevertheless stirred the Government to consider having a powerful law that would disembarrass Indian politics of the scourge of corruption. 

Sadly, corruption exists everywhere. It is only a question of degree. Some countries are almost totally honest while others are highly dishonest and then there are many who would be somewhere in between. Additionally, every single person scorns corruption in our social milieu. But it does not mean that a person keeps himself immune from the flu of corruption. In India, it has already traversed its mark. Worse, it is closely coupled with an illegitimate and immoral act undertaken in official conduct.

Corruption, one could say, is a flea in every manner. It is deeply entrenched and cannot be easily plucked out or removed. And, it is the biggest challenge faced by any Government, be it the UPA or the NDA, because the system itself is handicapped thanks to its own employees being slaves of another. Corruption is the origin of all other tribulations that our country faces. Let us look at it in this context. There are myriad problems such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, pollution, external threats, underdevelopment and so on facing the Government day in and day out. However, corruption makes the problems more acute and bigger as a result of which the common man’s sufferings get further aggravated. 

Thus, corruption is also an obstinate problem. It is like blood pressure, which can be controlled, but not perfectly purged. Thus, while it may not be possible to weed out corruption totally, it may at least be possible to restrain the same within edges. Committed people in civil society, honest officials and the much-needed reform of our electoral system could be some of the most important prescriptions to combat this terrible malaise affecting our economy. It smears our image abroad and in the global market, wherein there are huge losses of overseas opportunities.

Insofar as the common man perceives corruption it is a result of the nexus between bureaucracy, politics and criminals. India today is no longer painstaking a malleable state. It has now happened to a contemplation state where everything can be got for a consideration. At present, the number of ministers with an honest reputation may be counted on finger tips. There was a time perhaps, when bribe was given for getting work done which was incorrect, but now it seems it is given for receiving what is legitimately the citizen’s right and at the right time.

The greed to make money is quite devastating and sadly people are forgetting the spirit of tried and experienced principles of honesty, veracity and precision. As a nation, we need to seriously consider a collective lesson in “No route for the cause of making money”. Corruption should be loomed from the perspective of the glaring sound effect it has on its expansion. 

Unfortunately, the problem in India is far more widespread and at the topmost level, which means that at a high business level, activities such insider trading, mergers etc would lead to corruption. At the normal level, today’s situation is such that an ordinary person cannot get anywhere without paying money. Thus, if one wishes to get a telephone connection, the electricity bill rectified, a payment cleared etc, he would need to shell out money to the concerned officer.

Corruption is a vicious circle in which the system has got deeply embedded. Haven’t we all read media reports about reported corruption cases involving politicians, bureaucrats, the police, the judiciary and so on. Perhaps it is so because power comes to them without control and accountability.

Well, Anna and team are seeking to fight corruption with their “Jan” (citizens) Lokpal Bill. Their belief is that it will not only set up an independent body with ample power to punish the guilty, but shall also instill a sense of fear. While there is no guarantee it would achieve the goal, at least the rumblings have begun within. Lakhs of Indians seem to have found a voice in the teeming supporters of the Gandhian. Silent marches, candle lit processions, slogans and placards besides dharna and fasting marked with members of political parties, social groups, religious organizations, media and young professionals demonstrating solidarity are all signs of changing times.  

We have come a long way. The Lokpal Bill was first introduced in 1968. Today it is 2012. The corruption epidemic continues to ravage. Its reach is unique, and its consequence awful. It must be halted. The polity can persist to overlook but only at great national peril. It’s time we stop fighting over winners and losers!  --INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)