Corruption in Public Life

 

 

        Independence ushered in an era of development in the history of our nation. Large dams, steel plants, multipurpose projects and large scale sector undertakings came into being. As a result huge funds were needed. Huge amount of money fell into the hands of politicians, their henchman and middlemen. This created countless opportunities for corruption. But a common man in the street did not know what was happening in the corridors of power.

        Contracts and licences were sanctioned to the relatives, friends and those close to the ruling party. The dream of freedom had started turning sour when politicians shunned morality in public life. In fact value based politics was given a good bye. The bureaucracy joined in merry making and minted money at their will. Those who were willing to do the bidding of the  politicians grew richer. Prime lands in the Capital were allotted to them. In fact the looting and plundering started the day India won freedom. The so called freedom fighters turned into vultures living on the flesh of poor man.

        When the attention of the first Prime Minister Sh. J.L. Nehru was drawn to the misdeeds of the politicians and bureaucrats, he brushed aside the patent fact. He had just to say, that corruption was a worldwide phenomenon. What a pity! A nation at birth was mirred in the muddy waters of corruption.

        Apart from these political and economic changes, even the changed social values also contributed to the rampant corruption in the country. Lure for money, status and achievement of ends at every cost are some of the factors responsible for spreading corruption. The worst kind of corruption has been in the form of scandals and defence scams. It is the most shameful aspect of our national character. Bofors scandal still remains unsolved.

        Narcissim of the political class is to be wondered at. In 2014, general elections our people elected 186 MPs with criminal records. Mega scandals such as Satyam, Wolker Commission, Bofors, 2G, Commonwealth Games scandals, stashing away of black money in tax havens are the few scams that would have toppled many a government and sent a number of leaders to jails in any other country. No wonder then, India ranks near the bottom of International Corruption Index.

        In fact corruption is a multi faceted problem giving rise to numerous social, economic, political and moral crises in the society. Today politics is a lucrative career. Individuals take to politics as a profitable career to secure easy money. However, politics without ethics is a disaster. Today’s leaders are hypocrites and have betrayed the country and the people. Immorality in politics has become so pervasive that a common man has no social security, medical facilties, efficient public transport system and freedom from exploitation. Can this situation be rectified?

        Over 68 years of independence are mired in corruption, scams, scandals and stashing away of national income in foreign tax havens. Now, at least leaders should understand the mood of the public. The country needs meaningful change in governance. Anna Hazare has come to symbolize the voice of the people. The crowds all over the country were on the roads to protest against corruption following the clarion call given by the social activist Anna Hazare.

        While Anna Hazare was on fast in August 2011, the political leaders of every hue and shade showed remarkable unity in meeting his threat by calling Anna’s challenge to Parliament as a threat to democracy. His call for reforms was termed as anti-national and anti-constitutional. Now, that the Anna Movement has lit the spark for strong authority over the politicians, it is for the people to arouse themselves in support of a strong Jan Lok Pal Bill. The public servants (a name given to the politicians by Mahatma Gandhi) should rise above personal ambitions and serve the people in the spirit of social service.

        Where does the solution lie? Just as a country gets the government it deserves, similarly every country gets the leader it deserves. After all the leaders are a part of our own society. Therefore, silence and indifference of the people would silently encourage corruption. People should rise to an occasion and demand a probe into the politician’s financial transactions that have made them billionaires. The system cannot be cleaned by half-hearted means. Each political  party, leader, bureaucrat and businessman should be forced to give account of their financial status. Those found guilty should be legally punished and voted out of power. Let public should be the arbiter of the destiny of the people.

        It is ostensible that no political leader is willing to show political will to bring the investigations to a logical end. They can talk and indulge in breast beating but not expose the facts of corruption. The fact deserves the attention of the people as to how all the political parties got united in objecting to the verdict of the Supreme Court. They objected to filing the detail of their assets, sources of incomes and their criminal records at the time of filing nominations. Worse, judiciary itself is in collusion with corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. Criminals in public life are ruling the roost. In present circumstance no light is visible at the end of the tunnel.