An obit to Lokpal

There are various forms of governments of which democracy affords freedom to the people. If we chose democracy as our form of government the evils of politics comes free along with it. Political parties are a necessary evil in a democracy. Deceit, debauchery and deprivation in different forms were rampant even in the proverbial Ramrajya, if ever there was one. The travails of Indian democracy are not its institutions but the people. The people who are custodians of the Parliament and such other citadels of democracy. These people are part of the larger Indian society. When we create an institution we suppose that its leader will always be beyond reproach. But have we found one for all the institutions created by Independent India.  Obviously the answer is disappointingly negative. We wallow in a philosophy but falter in execution. Majority of Indians, at least all those who can influence, do not practice their propounded belief.

II 47 (Gita)

Karmany eva dhikaras te

  Ma phalesu kadacana

Ma karmaphalahetur bhur

  Ma te sango ,stv akarmani

To action alone hast thou a right and never at all to its fruits; let not the fruits of action be thy motive; neither let there be in thee any attachment to inaction.

The makers of our constitution had great foresight, it is said. But an aspect that missed their collective wisdom is the fall in standards of our value system. The system failed to cultivate individuals with guts and selfless fortitude. When we created CBI, CVC and CAG we thought they will be headed by people of impeccable integrity. But alas, that it is not the case. In such a circumstance where is the case for creating another such institution?

The whole of the proposed bill or any version of such a bill, is full of misrepresentations that would not stand the scrutiny of the judiciary (Constitution). So, many ask, what is the answer to the rampant corruption prevalent in the Government, Corporate, and NGOs et al?

I say, let us agitate to strengthen the existing systems. I am not yet an expert. But I can suggest a couple of three actions which can be pursued forthwith.

1.   Strengthen the judiciary. Create more judges and courts for speedy disposal of all judicial matters.

2.    Revamp the CBI, giving it more autonomy.  I am not going into the details as most know what they could be.

3.   Make appointments tended by Bureaucrats also concurrently tenable by chosen experts in the respective fields. Say, men in uniform in MOD, A Javed Akhtar in I&B, a Mahesh Khera in Ministry of Telcom et al.

All of the above and other such reforms are feasible within the ambit of the constitution and existing democratic structure. As somebody said the institution of Lokpal will only empower 40,000 more bureaucrats and not the people of India as envisaged.

Judge yourself. I rest my case.