India: Can Corrupt Politicians Ever Be Punished? – OpEd

Hundreds of politicians at various levels are suspected to be corrupt and dishonest in India. As a matter of fact, the distinction between politicians and criminals have become thin, as many criminals enter politics, contest elections and win and then become ministers and rule the country. Long back, Bernard Shaw said that politics is the last resort for the scoundrels and many people in India now think that Bernard Shaw is correct. The politicians remain as the most suspected and perhaps hated tribe in India.

Unfortunately, despite of strong anti-corruption laws in the country, the corrupt politicians always find way to escape from the clutches of law, by circumventing the law, prolonging the judicial process by cleverly exploiting the loopholes and they remain in public life with all their ill gotten wealth intact Rarely, a corrupt politician has been effectively punished and if this has been done in some cases, it is an exception and not a rule.

As large number of electorate in the country belong to lower income group and are often only semi literate and are susceptible to monetary temptations, the politicians who amass huge wealth by adopting corrupt means , hoodwink the gullible people by money power, muscle power and by cleverly posturing to win elections.
Politics has made inroads into every aspect of life today in India and therefore every aspect of life appears to be getting corrupt. The Election Commission of India and Judiciary have failed to check corruption inspite of huge powers that they have.

While there is corruption in India not only amongst politicians but also amongst bureaucrats and professionals belonging to every walk of life , there is no doubt that politicians are the fountain head of corruption. Without catching hold of the corrupt politicians , punishing them and ensuring that they would not enter parliament and assemblies, rooting out corruption in India is not possible.

Modi’s promise

Certainly, there is widespread frustration and anger amongst large section of citizens that dishonest politicians continue to hold sway over national politics and the government but the people seem to be helpless .

Indian electorate were highly impressed when Narendra Modi promised before 2014 parliamentary election that he would root out corruption and cleanse the parliament and legislative assemblies and ensure that corrupt people cannot enter these all powerful bodies. Such promise and assurance really helped Modi to win the confidence of the people and emerge victorious in the election.

Modi need to act

Now, having been in power for 18 months, Indians expect Modi to fulfil his promise. But, Modi appears to be finding it difficult.

The present noise made by Rahul and his mother , when they are facing court hearings about dishonest dealings and the vituperative language used by Kejriwal when his confident and principal secretary was investigated for corruption charges and the media publicity that they get only clearly highlight how difficult would be Modi’s task of checking corrupt politicians .

The National Herald case convincingly exposes Rahul and his mother that they have indulged in dishonest practices. Kejriwal appointing a corrupt person as his principal secretary clearly show that his claim that he is the anti corruption crusader is hollow and untrue.

When the politicians face corruption charges and realize that they are on weak grounds, they make all sort of drama , use all sorts of language and level vague and unproved allegations against the government and divert the attention of the people from their misdeeds.

The politicians in India facing corruption charges make lot of noise and indulge in mud slinging and use the media to mislead the people. Unfortunately, the Indian visual and print media want only sensation and give prominence to mutual accusations without caring to conduct quality discussions to expose the corrupt people, keeping the interest of the country in view.

The Modi government has come to power promising that it would root out corruption. It has to take full blooded efforts to catch the corrupt persons and punish them. Case of Rahul and Kejriwal is now a test for Modi’s commitment to fight the corrupt forces.

Certainly,the corrupt persons will fight back like a wounded leopard as it is a question of survival for them. The country is now watching as how determined Modi is in rooting out corruption and in facing the onslaught of attack from multiple directions from various corrupt politicians. Modi has to fight and in the process of fighting the corrupt forces if he would go down, let it be so for the sake of probity in public life.