By Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit
The issue of corruption is a very complex one, and it does not confine only to monetary matters. It cannot be simply defined in one line, and can be interpreted in various ways. It also has different meanings and no doubt a problem that needs to be addressed with all seriousness. It would be imperative to know what corruption is all about, and how it originates. Corruption generally originates at the top especially at the political level. This is because the political class is either complacent, conniving or most of the time indifferent towards this menace.
Corruption is a two way street, it involves the giver and the taker. Any action which does not conform to ethical norms, rules and procedure is a corrupt practice. Misusing and abusing of power is also an act of corruption, and there are various types of corruption at different levels. Corruption also includes a bribe paid by business men or private individuals to get favourable decisions from either government or public officials. The question is that, can corruption be prevented? If the answer is affirmative, then more questions will crop up like where to begin with? How to detect? How do we go about it? and so on.
It is also a matter of fact that people these days are really confused as to what is the real nature of Corruption? Some people consider corruption as “Ka jingai burom” or gifts. It is not easy to convince people that corruption is a disease or cancer that may degrade moral standards and destroy the entire humanity. It undermines the basic principle of Democracy and erodes the values of integrity. Corruption also deprived millions of poor people their basic rights, and it widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots. It also prevent justice to have its way. Our personal experiences and media reports too have illustrated that the scourge of corruption is striking at the very core of society.
At times we may be upset when someone disputes that this is no longer an era where we can talk about integrity in public life. For probity to prevail, we need action not only on the political, legal and investigative aspects, but also at the human level. People in politics, business and the community at large can be empowered that they say no to bribery and opt for integrity. Without any iota of doubt, we can assert that incorruptible men and women are the most effective tools to fight corruption.
Niccolo Machiavelli observed, “how easily are men corrupted and in nature transformed.” He must have experienced that once the character of individuals is so depraved that they take as normal the practice of corruption then soon thereafter whole societies can go under the influence of corruption. But the obverse is equally true. Once the character of individuals is so transformed that they accept as normal the practice of integrity then the whole society can begin to sideline corruption.
In order to fight corruption effectively, it requires the adoption of multi-pronged strategies. Law alone cannot cleanse the dirt of corruption, and this is exactly the case with India. The framers of the constitution have made provisions in the highest law of the land to deal with this problem. Numerous legislations were passed by Parliament and State Legislatures to tackle this threat. We also have institutions like Vigilance Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and many others. However, the Country is still passing through a shameful history of scams, scandals and is increasingly plagued and inflicted by corruption.
Firstly, the Lokpal Bill is one of the steps to combat corruption depending on the power to be vested upon this institution and provided that, it is constituted only with people of an impeccable integrity, and also with maximum amount of independence to carry out their function.
Another important factor in the fight for corruption is the political culture of the society. If the people are aware and are politically conscious public representatives will be compelled to behave responsibly. For example, in the developed countries of the west legislators and Public representatives cannot afford to change their party affiliation for personal interest or gain. However, that is not the case in India, because unlike democracies in the west, political consciousness and awareness of the people is very low. In India in order to prevent defection a special law has to be passed known as the, Provisions As To Disqualification on Ground Of Defection (52nd Amendment) Act 1985.
It is very difficult to depend solely on outside solution to eradicate this problem. Ergo solution has to emerge from inside the individual coupled with an effective mechanism. People should be enlightened about the evils of corruption so that they will be exasperated to corruption.
The decision to start the Clean Politics Campaign is an effort to bring about a change and probity in public life. As of today, our country is under the bondage of corruption which has resulted in suppression, poverty, unequal distribution of wealth, malpractices, self-centeredness, backwardness, etc.
About a year ago, a CPC was launched at Shillong with the intention to arouse the interest of the people with regard to the adverse effects of Corruption. Some might be thinking that Clean Politics campaign is too idealistic. However, today it has become an important subject of discussion everywhere and a matter of concern for all and sundry. Much has been discussed about the issue of Corruption and its effect on the society and the Country. Another issue that occupies the mind of the people today is to find an effective solution to this menace. Corruption is not new to humanity; it is one of God’s commandments. It was written in the Holy Bible, Deuteronomy chapter 16: 19, which says, Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Clean Politics Campaign is not only to bring about corruption free governance, but also to educate the people and make them aware of their rights and duties in a democracy. Further, it is also an education to the people whereby it can create the kind of consciousness and awareness that exist in developed countries.
People should be made to understand that we are a democratic country where real power rest with them. The preamble begins with the words, ‘we the people of India…’ this reveals the fact that the Constitution of India unlike the preceding government of India acts is not a gift of the British parliament. And these words had clearly shown that the Indian people are ultimate source of all authorities. The words ‘we the people of India adopt, enact and give to ourselves this constitution’ thus proclaim the ultimate sovereignty of the people of India.
It is very important, therefore, that people should understand how to exercise their rights, and also be very careful in electing their representatives to the Legislature. They should also know the duties and responsibilities of their representatives. If the people fail to elect the right people to the State Legislature or Union Parliament, the opportunity for good governance will be a far cry. Shakespeare said, “Injustice and corruption are amongst us, merely because we ourselves have failed to resist their first inroads.” We should ask ourselves whether we have tried to nip the ills of corruption in the bud. Have we ever supported corrupt practices? Have we ever encountered this challenge before? Are we scared to speak out openly against this menace? Have we ever gone hammer and tongs with those who have embezzled public money? Have we ever shown our concern for the voiceless? If not, this is the right moment to rise up and commit ourselves to the cause of the oppressed and the poorest among the poor due to the prevalence of corruption. Or are we still waiting for a messiah to come and rescue or liberate us from the clutches of corruption?
We should not also underestimate the power of the media, it is because of the vigorous and relentless expose of the media that people like A.Raja, Kalmadi, Kanimozhi and others have landed up in jail for corruption charges. Media should take an active role in the fight against corruption, and even the Church for that matter, can play a formidable role in combating corruption.
On whether the Prime Minister should come under the Lok Pal or not, it would be fair and just that all functionaries right from the Prime Minister down to the lowest functionary should be brought under the Lokpal. However this institution should not be allowed to be misused and abused by anyone under any circumstances. To my mind, no one is above the law therefore, there should be a mechanism to screen and monitor corruption at different levels.
If justice and democracy is to survive then we must strive passionately, courageously and tirelessly to prevent the spread of corruption, for the sake of the voiceless and oppressed sections of the society. (The writer is MLA of Nongkrem and former President FKJGP)