Respected Sir,
For the past few days, I was musing upon the fate of Jan Lokpal Bill and it’s supposedly path breaking nature that has been hailed as never before in the history of world’s largest democracy. And then breaks the news of cabinet passing the draft of Bill, and civil society led by you confronting it in unison. That leads me to think that is the Bill really an all out solution for corruption in India.
Sir, I personally have highest regards for you as well as your persona, and I have no reason and least qualification to doubt your integrity, but can’t you see something manipulative going on under the hood in this whole issue. Sir, do you find this Bill, even if passed as per recommendations of Civil Society, so powerful that it can be an ultimate answer to corruption? Is it so effective that you find it justifiable to use rather unconstitutional ways for its passage?
Yes, Sir. I used the word “unconstitutional”, because it is not constitutional to deadlock government in framing laws even without being elected to Parliament. It contradicts the basic notion of democracy, and I don’t want to live in a democracy which shows even a scintilla of autocracy. Because, we have paid in past, and are still paying the huge price for the upkeep of this valuable system, ranging from (pseudo)secularism to sectarianism, and I don’t want it to be polluted with such a behavior. Rather I would support full fledged autocracy, so that at least we would be made to throw our false prejudices. But this is the most lethal combo, autocracy under the hood of democracy.
Sir, we don’t want new laws to be made. What do we want is just implementation of existing laws: a strict implementation, a swift judgment and a solid punishment. Coming to some specific points of disagreement, the first point is about the purview of the Bill. Your view to extend the jurisdiction of Lokpal up to the Prime Minister seems over enthusiastic. You should have faith in your Prime Minister at least. Otherwise it is the mockery of democracy. Though we have the most corrupt government till date right now, we can’t say the same about our PM. Even in general conscience, Manmohan Singh is a clean PM, although a hugely impotent one. We can never question about integrity of Vajpayijee, as well. So for at least past a decade India has been ruled by two clean PMs. And with good faith, we can hope for the same in future. Real sharks are the ministers, MPs, secretariat babus and every another step of this foul bureaucracy. So, its time to go for a round table conference and extend the net to catch all this sharks under the ambit of bill rather than sticking to a single post. It’s time for some sensible trade.
Another tough turf is about the nature of Lokpal. Should its powers be only advisory or executive as well? Now, this is something that must be debated thoroughly by our parliamentarians and members of Civil Society. Lokpal with only advisory powers means a weak body without any real effect. But on the other way, If Lokpal is vested with executive powers as well, than there are highest chances of misuse of the office, as is been very common in our country. We have posts of Lokayukts in various states for some years now, but they are also vested with advisory powers only. Even the office of ombudsman in Scandinavian countries is also vested with advisory powers only. So, it can really be a point to prove your mettle if you can come up with an ingenious solution to this, sir.
Sir, you are proposing to set up Lokpal committees at district levels. In general conscience it is really palatable. Even an illiterate can understand that a committee made up of 8 members can’t keep check over corruption in the whole country. But then to form district level committees is never a sensible proposal. We already have anti corruption bureau, and if made to work with real vigor, it can be harnessed to produce same results as are expected with Lokpal. You are proposing to add another tier to the already sluggish and cumbersome bureaucracy. If the problem lies with in the anti corruption bureau then let’s make it more efficient, more transparent and more pro-public. But to mend the system for this is a real absurdity. Even if formed, who will keep check on such committees, a super Lokpal??? Misuse of power is inseparable from Indian psyche.
Yes sir, I agree with you that there is need for an effective Lokpal at center level with executive powers if possible. So, at least CBI can do its real work rather than running for the asses of these white collar criminals. But this can be achieved only by tactful diplomacy, not by creating useless gridlocks. And from this government, we can’t even expect that. Annajee, after this long struggle, you are on the verge of getting something, although not everything. Please grab this before it culminates into nothing. And then try for getting the remaining in a constitutional way so that you can give a formidable contest to a despotic government like this. We would support you wholeheartedly at that time. And still I think, Lokpal can be an answer for time being, but it is not the ultimate one. We need some core changes like an educated electorate, high levels of political awareness, a majority government etc.
At last, Annajee, please don’t go on fast. Blackmailing is a weapon to be used against outsiders and not against insiders. And fasting is a kind of emotional blackmailing. Moreover, I am quite sure about stubbornness of this government. And about igniting the rage of populace by going on fast, I am skeptical about that also. The nation which can tolerate absurd comments of its leaders after a terrorist attack, I don’t think, can burn with fire by a fast. Terrorism is still a more inflammable issue. Your sacrifice will go in vain, sir. And we still need you…
Note: I am not affiliated with any political organization.
Note: I am not affiliated with any political organization.
