7 June 2011

Crusade against Corruption: Together We Can..!!!


According to the celebrated definition of the State by Max Weber, ‘State is the human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of force within its given territory’. This monopoly over the legitimate use of force is granted to state by its own people for ensuring them security. However, whatever we experienced two days back at Ramleela Maidaan, was in fact, contradictory to this understanding about the state. The state, which is created to provide security to its people, indulged in unprecedented violence; lathi- charge, bursting of tear-gas and stone-throwing; against its own people, who were agitating against widespread corruption and black money. Such state has no right to rule the people of world’s one of the most peace-loving civilizations!!!
Our nation is going through a very important phase in the process of socio-political development. Vibrant Civil- Society Activism supported by all kinds of mass-media is the crucial feature of this phase. This phase is also accompanied by the trans-national phenomenon of Internet Revolution. Nor can we sideline the strengthening of India’s Political Culture that has led to the emergence of political will for the betterment of the society.
The combined impact of these factors became evident through the massive ‘Anti- Corruption Movement’ that has stirred the country. The movement was started at various levels by different groups of people; including civil society organizations, human rights activists, religious and spiritual leaders and institutions, pressure groups and not to mention, the ordinary citizens. All these organizations, leaders and the ordinary people were united in the unparallel hunger strike led by Anna Hazare, at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in the month of April.
Government attended to the nation’s call and in the utmost fear of regime-change agreed to set-up the committee along with the leaders of civil society to form ‘Lokpal Bill’. The proceedings of the committee are not made public. However, according to the media briefings, they do not seem to be going in the smooth way. The government side of the committee does not want; the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and behavior of the Members of the Parliament within Parliament premises; to come under the purview of the Lokpal, which seems to be very arbitrary. Generally, looking at government responses to the situation; be it the arbitrary conditioning, and not to mention, its crackdown on the agitators led by Yoga-guru Baba Ramdev; it looks like that the government is unwilling to materialize the Lokpal Bill in the form that people desire. But, the movement is so widespread that it is simply impossible for any regime to silence people’s voice. The regime which is doing that, is certainly putting nails in its own coffin! Thus, one cannot doubt the adoption of the ‘Lokpal Bill’ in the near future.
Nevertheless, the story does not end here; in fact, it very much starts here! The initial activism and enthusiasm among the people about curbing corruption ought to be channelized in the proper manner. The implementation of the Lokpal Bill should also be properly checked by the same people.
Moreover, charity begins at home, so also fight against corruption! Ingenuity, illegality, greed and decline of moral values are prevalent in the society, affecting all socio- economic and political aspects of life. None of the agitators have the moral right to say that it’s only the politicians who are corrupt, as corruption is very much widespread from top-most person to the bottom-most person in the system. We are all part of this corrupt system and nobody should dare to exclude him (or her) from it.
According to Gandhiji, ‘Moral Anarchy’ was the most efficient way to establish ‘Order’. Thus, we all have to be ‘Accountable’; to the nation, to the society, to the system, and most importantly, to our own conscience!!!



3 comments:

  1. Hi Rashmini,

    Nice article... at least & eye-opening article ... But I don't know much about Lokpal bill. The thing is either I have little faith in Indian Jurisdiction or more faith in Political influence I am not sure (Both way its wrong). Tell me one thing is it really that transparent Jurisdiction ? I don't mean transparent in a manner that a panel will do the investigation if any complain is filed.... Can normal people see the reasons behind the decisions ? On what basis we can trust the panel ? Lets say the panel becomes corrupt, we can launch the complain against them but again who will do investigation & how we can trust the person who will do investigation ? These politicians have lots of power & money .. Whats the guarantee that the panel or the committee which will do the investigation will be completely transparent ? Case against inspector or some small personality is ok .. How this bill helps against big politicians ? Can you throw some light on it ? I don't knw much about law & politics but prefer to be aware of it thts why asked.
    Thanking you.
    Rajas More

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  2. @ Rajas,
    thanx a lot for appreciating the article and bringing in discussion a very crucial aspect of the issue..
    obviously, the points raised by u r valid and cannot be ruled out.. the system is out and out corrupt and noone can expect the newly created office of Lokpal to clean it thoroughly.. there is political influence in every walk of life which cannot be overthrown overnight..
    But yet creation of Lokpal can be atleast a start towards that.. we have various other legislations like, Prevention of Corruption Act, Right to Information Act.. and Lokpal Bill will be complementary to them.. and this is definitely for the betterment of the society..
    the issues u have raised r very important.. but, at this moment, v cannot answer them totally, as provisions in the Lokpal Bill and the Jan Lokpal Bill r different.. eg. in original draft, complain has to come from LS Speaker, but in Jan Lokpal, compail can come also from ordinary citizens.. moreover, in original bill, Lokpal is only advisary body, whereas, in Jan Lokpal Bill, it has power of prosecution.. etc
    So, let us see how the final draft comes out to be.. then only these issues can be addressed..
    once again.. thank you so much..

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  3. Rashmini even Hobbes an advocate of absolute sovereignty did not gave it's King such a huge power as our democratically elected kings are entertaining here in India.

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