The British, they say, looted us. Today we are looting ourselves – with impunity, observes DR. S. AUSAF SAIED VASFI
It is not corruption as such; it is the volume and velocity of corruption that inspires awe coupled with frustration and, in utter hopelessness, one feels inclined to ask the wise: Is corruption in Indian DNA? Is the dirt in our genes? Does the sleaze flow in Bharat’s blood? Are we in for the status of hall of shame?
There is no political party which can today claim chastity. All, with the exception of a political party that claims to practise ‘value-based politics’ but is yet to prove its mantle, today are heavily punctuated with grey areas and shady characters. The British, they say, looted us. Today we are looting ourselves – with impunity. And, mind it the loot is not confined to the Government, Opposition or the regional parties. The octopus has spread its tendentious tentacles over the civil society, common man, or what they call Aam Admi.
FRIENDS CHEAT FRIENDS
Things have come, of late, to such a pass that now kickbacks are grasped by friends. Not long ago, a gentleman, say Mr. A asked his dear friend Mr. B to help in organising a modest feast for 10,000 invitees. Mr. B, after scratching his balding head, asked Mr. A what his budget was and how much he wanted to spend on the event? Mr. A, in utter simplicity, said he could spend around Rs. 5 lakh. Mr. B assured: OK, done! Give me money and become totally unburdened. Understandably, feeling obliged Mr. A handed over Rs. 5 lakh to Mr. B, who in his first convenience coolly deposited Rs. 3 lakh in his bank account and all the invitees quietly returned to their homes after the less-than-sumptuous dinner, of course except Mr. A, who confronted his trustworthy chum and complained of the poor quality of feast food. Mr. A politely asked for the balance to be harshly told by Mr. B: To me at least everybody was all praise for the high quality food, and as far as the balance is concerned nothing has been left to return and recall, did you not say that your budget was Rs. 5 lakh? Now the Mr. Bs, like the proverbial leeches, abound in Bharat. Yes, there is little new in the story.
PROBITY VS. DISHONESTY
Gradually the bold line between probity and dishonesty is vanishing from the national narrative. It is not that nobody is concerned about the antediluvian curve in our society. Some are definitely concerned and Mr. Anna Hazare is one of them. But, without exception, all of them believe in pruning the branches. It does not occur to them that this popular evil needs now rooting out, root and branch. A patient of cancer cannot be cured by cosmetic surgery. Stronger laws and the strongest ombudsmen amount to cosmetic surgery.
It is in this disquieting backdrop that one has to lament absence of higher values and decay of ideology. The vacuum has been filled by hypocrisy. Is any political party serious about its adherence to the known noble values and causes and ideology it professes? All, roughly speaking, swear by democracy, socialism and secularism. They do so in a routine manner, without realising what havoc has been wrought by this disease of both heart and mind. It is gnawing at the jocular vein of plural Bharat. It has already shaken the foundations of our national infrastructure. Corruption is breeding lust for wealth and mania for power. This heady cocktail is killing noble souls and producing freaks and monsters.
THE LATEST
The latest in this regard is the induction of Mr. Babu Singh Kushwaha, who had been shown doormat by the Bahujan Samaj Party leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. He was Family Welfare Minister in the State with dubious reputations. Irregularities had been found against him by the CBI in the use of Rs. 10,000 crore funds allocated under the National Rural Health Mission. To Mr. Nitin Gatkari, the BJP president, Mr. Kushwaha is not facing any serious charge. One need not waste the costly newsprint at the innocence of the Saffron stalwart, who had to ultimately listen to his seniors and now his (Mr. Kushwaha’s) membership has been kept under animated suspension.
Why was Mr. Kushwaha given this honour? Through him, the BJP, the political arm of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, wanted to target 4.5 per cent sub-quota for Muslims in the OBC category. Mr. Kushwaha’s task was to fan resentment over the consequent reduction in the reservation availability to the backwards.
Now quota for Muslims has been postponed. Understandably, it has gladdened the heart of Saffron outfits. As the plural nation already knows, our brethren belonging to the Saffron fraternity react negatively – as a matter of policy – against any move that aims at giving Muslims their due. Therefore Ms Uma Bharti was quick to discover a Congress conspiracy to create second Pakistan in the less-than-modest quota reservation for the principal minority of the country. One really does not know how the said quota would cause partition of the country. To add insult to injury, she also found appeasement in the move. How on earth alleviation of suffering or redressal of grievance can be described as appeasement? She does not even know how to tell lies and misdirect simpletons?
CLASSIC CASES
Mr. B.S. Yedurappa is still fresh in public memory. His trophy consists of illegal denotification of government lands. Fifteen cases have already been filed against him.
In the Saffron hall of shame the picture that prominently hands is that of Mr. Bangaru Laxman, who had, in a sting operation, received Rs. 1 lakh as bribe from the undercover media persons of the Tehelka news portal. The former BJP president wanted the aghast nation to believe that the money had been taken for the party.
Among the classic cases comes the former Jharkhand chief minister Mr. Madhu Koda. He had been in the BJP and frequently changed political loyalties. His last option was the UPA. Money laundering and assets disproportionate to his known income were his weaknesses. According to the Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Koda had amassed illegal wealth of Rs. 1,340 crore in connivance with four of his office colleagues. For a thorough estimate of the wealth of this former chief minister, you will have to go to Sweden, Thailand, Indonesia, and Liberia. In several State capitals of Bharat Mr. Koda has 5-star hotels. Must be noted is the fact that Mr. Koda started his career as a daily wage earner.
WHEELING AND DEALING
Wheeling and dealing is the usual source of income of our legislators. The driving force behind them is not selfless service but self-service and service of the near and distant relations. How cleverly these too-smart fellows outwit the agencies like the CAG, the Intelligence Bureau and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is worth noting. Our MLAs, MPs and ministers, more often than not, proliferate illegality.
We have regulatory authorities like the Securities Exchange Board of India, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, to name a few, to check the private business. Could this plethora of checking bodies prevent the 2G scam and the likes? The discussion would not be complete without a reference to the outrageous liquidation of whistle-blowers. Judiciary is an independent body. But the cases dealing with judges’ corruption are increasing. It appears as if our democracy has failed to ensure accountability as much as the elections have not till date been able to vote out corruption. The malaise has destabilised the social equilibrium.
CHASTITY & CREDIBILITY
See the irony: Just two months ago Mr. L.K. Advani embarked upon an anti-corruption yatra. Not very long ago, the BJP had floated the slogan ‘Shining India’. The Saffron insisted upon that BJP was a party with a difference. Does it not occur to the Saffron stalwarts that they have laboriously exposed themselves to unalloyed, pristine pure ridicule?
Credibility is like chastity. If one loses it, one loses it forever. Politicians of both the sexes should remember this ground reality.