The first century of the third millennium is increasingly defined by a phenomenon that can be aptly described as the century of leaks. What began as a noble pursuit of democracy, rooted in the principles of freedom of expression and the right to information, has morphed into a system where the preservation of power and the enrichment of the political elite seem to dominate. The dual issues of informational leaks and infrastructural leakages, strangely have the same antecedents on governance both in India and globally. A political system steeped in corruption, inefficiency, incompetence and selfish pursuits.
The Dichotomy of Leaks and Leakages
India is currently grappling with the repercussions of leaks and leakages on multiple fronts. The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) leaks are a glaring example, revealing a deep-seated corruption that permeates the educational sector. Investigations have shown the intricate and extensive nature of these leaks, raising concerns about the integrity of the examination system.
Simultaneously, the country is witnessing alarming instances of infrastructural failures. The collapse of public buildings such as airports, bridges, and the flooding of roads, often resulting in tragic loss of life, casts a long shadow over the governance model of the country. These failures prompt serious questions about the priorities in public contract allocations and the quality of workmanship, reflecting poorly on the democratic setup.
Global Perspective: Democracy Under Siege
Internationally, the abuse and misuse of democratically obtained power have tainted many nations, particularly the affluent and powerful. The politically astute and cunning have repeatedly manipulated national powers for personal gain. However, as history shows, truth has a persistent way of surfacing. Several notable instances illustrate how leaks have exposed the dark underbelly of governance and the dangers of corruption in public life. Though there are many more, a few prominent ones will be sufficient to drive home the point of the wide spread of corruption globally.
Pentagon Papers (1971): The RAND Corporation’s leaked report on the Vietnam War exposed the US government’s misleading statements about the war, highlighting the discrepancy between public statements and actual policy.
Watergate Scandal (1974): This scandal, culminating in President Nixon’s resignation, underscored the extent of political espionage and the abuse of power within the US government.
Downing Street Memo (2005): The Sunday Times of London revealed that President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair had decided to invade Iraq and manipulated intelligence to justify the war, despite knowing Saddam Hussein lacked weapons of mass destruction.
WikiLeaks (2010): The release of nearly 400,000 classified military documents concerning the Iraq War by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange exposed the brutal realities of the conflict and government cover-ups.
Edward Snowden (2013): Snowden’s leak of classified details about the NSA’s electronic surveillance programs to the Washington Post and the Guardian unveiled the extent of government surveillance on private citizens.
Panama Papers (2016): The leak of 11.5 million files from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed how the world’s elite used offshore tax havens to hide their wealth.
Pandora Papers (2021): These documents, leaked by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, exposed the offshore financial dealings of world leaders and celebrities, highlighting global economic inequalities.
Credit Suisse Leak (2022): A whistleblower revealed documents exposing the accounts of controversial political figures and intelligence officials, further supplementing information from previous leaks.
Leaks in India: A Limited Scope
In India, leaks of secret documents have been relatively rare, typically involving defence-related information. The more common issue has been the leak of examination papers, such as those for entrance and competitive exams. However, the country faces another form of leakage—rainwater-induced structural failures, as seen in Bihar where multiple bridge collapses occurred within a span of ten days. These incidents point to deep-rooted corruption in public tendering processes, as well as governmental inefficiency and apathy.
Leaks, both informational and infrastructural, undeniably reveal the deep-seated corruption and manipulations by those in power. They expose not just individual malfeasance but also systemic inefficiencies and incompetence within the administration. The traditional methods of governance and secrecy are increasingly being challenged by the rise of a new regime of accountability and transparency, spearheaded by whistleblowers and investigative journalists.
Figures like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden represent the vanguard of this new culture, facilitated by the internet and advancements in artificial intelligence. The proliferation of social media platforms and independent investigative channels is ushering in an era where exposing governmental and corporate malfeasance is not only a public service but also a potentially lucrative endeavour.
Need Transparency and Accountability in Governance
As we move forward, it is evident that the coming decades will witness a surge in revelations. Politicians who have engaged in unethical or illegal activities, especially those who have amassed significant wealth, are at heightened risk of exposure. Technological advancements enable investigators to delve into transactions and uncover truths, often from remote locations or under new identities.
The traditional strategies of silencing whistleblowers through legal means such as the Official Secrets Act will become increasingly ineffective. The global nature of information flow means that national and state boundaries will no longer impede the dissemination of truth. This new volatile phase in global governance underscores the need for a fundamental shift towards greater transparency and accountability.
The dual issues of leaks and leakages highlight the persistent vulnerabilities in both democratic governance and public infrastructure. While leaks expose the moral and ethical failings of those in power, leakages reveal the tangible consequences of corruption and inefficiency. Together, they underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms aimed at fostering transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.
As we navigate this era of revelations, it is imperative that we embrace the principles of open governance and robust oversight. The lessons from past leaks should inform our future policies, ensuring that power is exercised responsibly and in the best interests of the public. Only then can we hope to restore faith in democratic institutions and build a more just and equitable society.
(The writer is a Professor of Law & an education consultant)
