Is politics a free ticket to corruption? Does a press license give unfettered rights to defame the country? Can journalists be on the illegal payroll of countries like China? The answers are commonly a big no for all three.
True, there has been an increase in the raids on political leaders’ mostly opponents, like AAP leader Sanjay Singh, TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu, many Dravida party functionaries, and AITC leaders. Most of the raids are the result of many months, often years, of investigation in the face of lenient courts, which permit leaders to fly abroad despite grave charges. The government’s stand against political corruption could have been better had a few ruling party leaders also been booked. It is too difficult to believe that corruption among politicians is confined only to the opposition and that the ruling party leaders are pure like basil leaves washed in Ganges water.
Next, there were loud protests over the arrest of a few journalists. Have they been arrested merely for going on the air (YouTube, etc.) voicing their opposition against the ruling party in the Center? Could they have indulged in receiving and distributing money in any clandestine manner and against Indian laws? The judiciary will refute the first allegation, and the courts will spare the concerned journalists who voiced their unfavorable opinions. However, the second allegation of money laundering is graver and cannot be escaped easily. Until the chargesheets are framed and the accused produced in court, one must be patient.
Corruption must end, and there cannot be two opinions about it, save for and by the benefactors who have bled our country over many decades. According to the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who our Supreme Court has also cited, almost every aspect of our activities was rife with corruption and only 15 paise of every rupee spent went to the needy. Huge funds spent on defence, infrastructure, mining leases, human resources, sports, and other events are diverted, often sent by hawala to safe havens abroad. Must it not end? If it has to end, there must be a beginning, and therefore, an increased intensity of activities by investigative agencies must be tolerated.
The judiciary is often complacent and views any arrest of corrupt politicians with a slant, balanced against the government agencies. People frequently question whether the judiciary ever values equality of law under Article 14 and whether regular people like you and me can benefit from a similar soft approach given the lenient anticipatory bail conditions and lack of harsh actions (like arrests) in the case of the most corrupt leaders.
I would contrarily propose harsher sentences for crimes committed by public servants, especially police personnel, political leaders, and those who are empowered more than ordinary citizens. Corruption must end, but the path to its end must not be one of vengeance and political revenge.
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
