War on Corruption

Corruption, the word has become so common, the phenomenon so all-pervasive. The focus of the activists and the media is now on corruption as never before. The otherwise prevailing sense of helplessness has made at least a little space for a ray of hope. Corruption has always been there in our country in some form or the other. But its tentacles have spread big, far and wide in recent times. It has almost become illegally institutionalized. Now that the moment has arrived, the focus must continue and the battles too.

There are different types of battles being fought currently. First, the inter party fights, each party pointing fingers at the other, magnifying the misdeeds of others while concealing and defending their own. Second, the NGO’s and others who take it upon themselves to investigate and point out corruption in specific areas of their interest. Third, people’s movements that spring up when they decide to take up particular cases that affect them. These are sometimes local, sometimes regional. Fourth, the national movement that is taking shape in spite of ups and downs, differences and divisions. It started under the leadership of Anna Hazare,  spread under India Against Corruption, and is now kept alive by Arvind Kejrival.

The anti-corruption wave has brought to surface politicians and bureaucrats. Both categories need each other to successfully carry on their undesirable and dark activities. Top politicians from the Congress, BJP, DMK, NCP and close relations of others are presently under the scanner. Allegations, which can have far reaching consequences, are being made. Once allegations are made, the mud sticks even if the accused prove their innocence later. Not all the people who read and view the defamatory news in the print and electronic media, and spread it fast through social media, will do the same if and when the accused establishes his innocence. Therefore the media has to take double care before publishing and broadcasting allegations. People at large usually take allegations as truth. It is true that it is difficult to prove charges against the powerful, but the matter should be pursued with the same determination that propelled the first investigation.

Having said the above, I must bring two related concerns into focus. First, corruption is not one way traffic. There is a giver and a receiver. Usually the receiver is the powerful one who demands a bribe. It may be in cash or kind, may even be service or sex. The one who gives is in need of something, and has to appease the one who is in a position to help. If palms are not greased or other demands not met with, then the work will not be done or unduly prolonged. He or she is helpless, a victim of greed or some other vice of the powerful.

There may also be cases when the receiver is almost forced to accept the bribe. The system is so corrupt that if you don’t accept the bribe your colleagues will turn against you or harass you. They do not want one good and clean person among them. All mangoes in the basket must be rotten so that the good can’t be distinguished from the bad. To be rotten is to be normal. Guilt has to be collective till your conscience becomes so blunt that guilt is banished. I am told that the corruption is so entrenched in the system that your share of the bribe comes to you without asking for it. System fault. The one offering the bribe may be so powerful that the alternative is an inconvenient transfer or unbearable harassment or something even worse.  Everyone is not in a position to withstand the might of the powerful although, I believe, all men have the potential for it. The potential has to be nurtured to make it fruitful. Till now, the environment was not favorable for fighting against corruption. It is gradually becoming so due to the national focus on corruption, prominent activists fighting against corruption, and the right to information act. We may see more heroes in time to come. The advice of former President Dr Abdul Kalam is apt here. He told the students at the Festival of Ideas in Goa in February 2011 that if all children keep telling their parents not to bring home money received through bribes, the message may work miracles.

My second concern is that corruption can be the only point on the agenda of a national or state  movement but not of a political party. The party must have many viable propositions on its agenda, and a practical program to implement its vision for the state or country. A party can’t be built on a one point program of eliminating corruption but must have a sustainable ideology. While applauding Kejrival for fighting corruption, I wish this movement becomes stronger and remains a movement for a longer time before becoming structured into a political party.

Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 28.10.2012