Independence Day ought to have given us a sense of pride, achievement and joy and been a day to celebrate our long fought freedom, paying homage to those who achieved it for us, some even at the cost of their own lives. Fortunately, most of these have left, surely for a better world – for no other can be worse than this – and some in time, not to be witnesses to the mess and the rot that we have turned this country into. If we had any sense of pride in us, we would have ensured that Winston Churchill proved wrong when he predicted that freedom to India would mean “handing over the destiny of hungry millions into the hands of rascals, rogues and free booters” and that the British were handing the reins of power to “men of straw of whom no trace will be found after a few years”. Perhaps C. Rajagopalachari, India’s first Governor General was still more right in his assessment of India’s future when he noted in his diary that “Elections and their corruptions, injustice and power and tyranny of wealth will make hell of life as soon as freedom is given to us and men will look regretfully back to the old regime of comparative justice and efficient, peaceful and more or less honest administration”. How right they were and how eager were we in proving them so! Unlike leaders of yesteryears, most politicians today no longer have qualms of conscience nor any shame at being exposed, for they must make hay while the Sun shines, as the Sun may not rise for them again.
The hopes of our people, with a new Government at the Centre, were shattered in less than a year. Much was expected of Modi’s intelligence and administrative skills. But alas! He may have attracted thousands with his eloquence and delivery but his performance leaves much to be desired. He has particularly failed in reining in or admonishing his close associates, on their outbursts or improper actions. His silence, on various issues, has left many, even among his admirers, squarely disappointed.
The disruption of Parliament proceedings has once again shamed the country. It might have been a tit for tat, but the country and its people are the losers. If the MPs have any conscience, they should forgo their salaries on the principle of “no work, no pay”, as applicable elsewhere. But it is too much to expect from people who do not hesitate to avail of food at heavily subsidized rates, in the Parliament canteen, while the PM begs of people to give up subsidy on gas cylinders to help the poor…
Accusations and counter accusations will keep flowing. But there is a tendency on the part of people out of power to pretend to be saints and charge the Government with witch-hunting or pressurizing the investigating agencies, whenever serious allegations are made against them. This may or may not be true. However, there is need to have a system in place for the Government in power to deal seriously with wrongdoings of their predecessors, so that the former too may know that it could be their turn in future. But politicians are used to scratching each other’s backs, as most of them, irrespective of party affiliation, have skeletons that could tumble out. Hence serious scams either remain concealed or not investigated, as it has happened with mining. This Government, which goes about with a begging bowl increasing electricity, water and all other types of charges, stamp duty, etc. refuses to recover losses to the exchequer from mining magnates.
Another noteworthy reluctance on the part of the Government is to allow the CBI to investigate serious offences. Why? Surely, it is either because they are afraid of the truth being exposed or because they want to influence the investigations. Such reluctance was displayed in the case of suicide of IAS Officer in Bangalore and in Vyapam scam in MP, where there were initial refusals to handover the cases to CBI. So also, in Louis Berger case. Despite the recent quick and interesting happenings, let us not lose sight of the fact that no corruption cases in Goa reach their logical end. Besides, Parrikar is known for keeping swords hanging on people’s heads, in order to silence them. Some of those, who are presently in the lock up, are also needed out soon, at least in time to divide the anti-BJP vote, in future elections. So, the joy of many of seeing the detenues in may be short-lived. That could also be the reason why the case is not handed over to CBI. It is strange that Parrikar knew where the JICA money was paid and yet he remained silent.
The Prime Minister, who is famous for introducing Good Governance Day, Yoga Day, etc. ought to have designated this day as Introspection Day, for us to ponder where we have taken this country from our Independence days. If all the parties had come together and decided to take India forward, sinking their differences, possibly the people could hope for better days. But after what happened in Parliament, that seems a distant possibility. Until then we will keep celebrating our Independence without any hope…
(The author is a retired banker)
