Politics, by definition, is the battle of ideas. However, in India the definition has drastically changed during the last 50 years. Politics in India has become the battle of self-interest. This battle of self-interest rather than the interest of the nation, has consequently given rise to corruption, immorality and a general degeneration in the society. Immorality in Indian politics has become evident by a series of expose by the enterprising television news channels. But the act caught on TV camera always leaves a room for doubt whether the clip is authentic or an example of selective exposure. It cannot be submitted as a proof in a court of law and the person caught in the act almost always takes the line that the tape is doctored and nothing of the sort that is being shown on television actually happened. Well, it is absolutely right that tricks can be done with the help of camera as well as on the editing table. Non-linear editing technique has made it all the more easier. However, nobody can deny first-hand information that one sees with his own eyes. I can relate a similar incident that happened recently which shows how low the Indian politics has sunk.
About two months ago Delhi Police arrested a newly elected Municipal Councillor and her husband red-handed while accepting bribe. Veena Saini, the Corporator, belonged to the Congress Party. Now, in the next meeting of the Corporation, the leader of the Congress group in the MCD, Jai Kishan Sharma, appealed to the house to cancel the membership of the said Corporator. Everyone agreed and the proposal having been passed by the house was sent to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna.
The Lieutenant Governor did not take immediate action on the issue and soon everyone forgot about it. But on July 16, nearly two months after the incident, Veena Saini appeared in the General meeting of the MCD house. Almost everyone present in the house was taken aback at her presence. A few Corporators audibly expressed their surprise at her impudence. The BJP councillors started making hue and cry as soon as they recovered from the shock.
But lo! Veena Saini was absolutely unperturbed despite all the commotion in the meeting hall. She could not sense the general feeling of restlessness or perhaps did not want to. In any case, she saw no harm in coming to the general meeting of the house immediately after getting the bail. Later, she told the media persons, who were equally surprised (and glad, too, at getting an interesting story for the day), that she had every right to attend the general meeting, as she was still a member of the house. She took the tried and tested (and trite, too) line that a person is innocent until proved otherwise. She said she has not been convicted by a court of law and hence, her membership could not be revoked. Now it may not be difficult for you to judge where the Indian politicians stand on the question of morality, decency and dignity in politics.