Posts Tagged ‘corruption’
Corruption and Nepotism celebrated. Conscience of a nation dead?
What happened to an honest law officer after she outed the worst kept secret, that jails are 5 stars if you can pay the price. What happened during an award ceremony where Bollywood celebs chanted ‘nepotism rules’ and were proud to do it. It all made me sick to my stomach. My father always taught me that if I studied and worked hard, I would succeed in my life and I did and I achieved. But what is happening in our nation today is real disgusting.
We did revere corruption. It was quite clear to me growing up, when I saw most corrupt living in the biggest of bungalows around me. It was quite clear when I saw people fighting over themselves to getting their daughters married off to the most corrupt of all, coz he had the most money to boast. I knew corruption was in our blood when an Income Tax raid was touted by corrupt as a matter of pride rather than a matter of shame.
We did revere nepotism. It was quite clear to me when I saw dynastic politics and people worshipping the dynasts. The ever growing family business honchos. It was quite clear when I saw the stupidest of my classmates enjoying the lives without hard work, just coz of our nepotistic societal framework. It was quite clear when rather than being named and shamed coz of that, they were celebrated by the society.
But all that was done without saying, in a clandestine manner, under the radar. It never saw any public outcry probably because common man never dared to voice his/her opinion. Now with the advent of social media and spread of mass media as such, people like Kangana who made it big fighting adversities can show these pompous fools, the mirror. She can dare to make them feel their real worth, which is two pence. And how dare she? The open and arrogant manner, in which the female law officer was transferred, shows there is no shame in corruption anymore. It used to happen earlier too but it never used to come out for the lack of media. Today’s 24×7 TV has made it all known. And the nation’s secret is out.
Some of you may blame me for being too negative in my outlook. Trust me I am not. It is happening all around us, all too openly for me to see any positive out of it. I sometimes fear for myself not to fall prey to the lures of this evil.
Right to Swift Justice to all
Supreme Court today stayed the demolition of Adarsh Society. The demolition was earlier ordered by High Court. I looked at this piece of news and gave a yawn. I am not able to recollect how long this has been going on. Seems like ages since this corruption issue came out. Since then what we have seen are hearing, orders for demolition, and orders for stay on demolition. I mean it never seems to reache to conclusion.
How many of you agree with me that, when you hear some strict judgement passed by HC, you know it will be stayed by SC? When you hear some big shot has been jailed (after years of courtroom lingering), you know that he will be out on bail next day? The process have gotten so repetitive and convoluted, it stinks. How many of you have no faith left in the time bound justice?
I for one am very much pessimistic about this. I don’t blame the judiciary per say. They are bound by the infrastructure and number of judges available. But such a mockery has taken away faith from the justice system. And it does not augur well for a nation.
I think majority of issues in the country would go away if we fix judiciary. Make the justice system fair and fast. Imagine you can get a hearing within week and next date, the very next day. From Lower court to High court to Supreme Court- all within a month. Over. Imagine you never have to wait for Dates. Will you see so much corruption and crime? Majority of issues India faces today can be linked to corruption, which I think follows directly from excruciatingly slow judiciary.
With all the judicial activism I see, it’s time for judiciary to act tough and pass a judgement on “right to swift justice” to all. Order (and not ask) Govt. to create more courts and induct more judges. If Govt. is not doing, take suo moto, create a panel of retired judges and do it yourself. When you can do it in the case of BCCI, why can’t you do it when it comes to swift justice?
I know it’s too much to ask of the judiciary, but what has been done in case of President’s rule in Arunachal and Uttrakhand; What has been done in BCCI case; these are landmark judgements. They go beyond what judiciary could have done say 10-15 years back. I say notch it up a little and go for the kill. Take suo moto and force Govt. provide “swift justice for all”. You have all the tricks up the sleeve. Attach it to one of the Fundamental rights or whatever. I beg of you, just do it!
How low will Media go and the Khadse Blow to BJP
Minister in Maharashtra cabinet, BJP leader Eknath Khadse was forced to resign over graft charges. Maha politics is based on land grab and this is one such clear case. What happens to Khadse after this will define the tone of subsequent election campaigns by BJP. Will he be charge sheeted or will he be let off just like Ashok Chavan, of the Adarsh shame?
Amdist all this, India Today channel had a special guest dialing in to discuss this issue. The guest was none other than Ashok Chavan. And the host was none other than Rajdeep Sardesai, one of the most biased journalists in India, evidently proud of it too. Anyways, Mahamahim Ashok Chavan ji was being asked if the action is enough on Khadse or should there be an enquiry too and he be taken to task. Ashok Chavan agreed that there need to be a high level judicial enquiry etc etc.
Rajdeep who was relishing with the first wicket to fall from Modi’s “Naa Khaoonga, na khaane doonga” chant, didn’t ask Chavan that, “Do you think, Khadse’s resignation is just an eyewash, just like your resignation was?” or “Do you think Khadse is a land grabber just like you?” I mean how low will such journalists go? They call in corrupt and tainted politicians on their shows due to closeness and quid pro quo and legitimize such people. Call all you want but grill them. Not given them open audience to be a hero.
What authority does Adarsh tainted Chavan has to speak on Khadse. I mean why would you even call him? If you call him then don’t cozy up to him. Ask him tough questions.
On the issue of Khadse, it is a serious blow to Modi, but not some boon for Congress. This is a boon for regional parties. Khadse has resigned but won’t go down easily. In Maharashtra land grabbers are big politicians and Khadse is one of them. Unfortunately he has huge backing of people and a known grass root politician. He has all qualities to be a Yedurappa-2 for BJP.
Don’t be surprised if 6 months down the line, Khadse is given clean chit and he is back, either in Maharashtra or Centre. Having been so long out of power, BJP was guarded from graft charges too. With so many states and Centre under its belt, graft charges will surface regularly now. It will be a big headache to BJP as how to deal with it.
As we saw in Yedurappa case, acting against the corrupt has potential to destroy the party in that state. So what will it be five years down the line? Will Modi be able to recite, “Naa khaya, Naa Khaane diya” or will he be left wanting by BJP’s Congressmen.
Mr Chidambram: Give me a break!
“Karti is being targeted because he is my son”, said an aggrieved Chidarmbram. That he is an ex-Finance Minister, ex-Home Minister, adds a twist to the narrative. Seeing the screws tightening on his son Karti’s business empire, father has come out to lend his support.
Mr. Chidambram, give me a break. Just by talking small sentences while looking far at the horizon, you made yourself look like the only person who knows everything whilst everyone else was a fool. You along with Manmohan Singh, portrayed yourself as the champion Economists. The truth is you are nothing but a failed Finance Minister. You are nothing but a failed Home Minister.
Yes, Karti is being targeted because is he is your son. Because by being your son, and quid pro quo, he has created a business empire. When you were sworn for betterment of sons of the soil, you were working for betterment of your own son. How then, son of a hard working common man found it difficult to pay for college, found it difficult to get a job and your son had best of all worlds.
If you have nothing to hide, why are you so nervous? Let the law take it’s own course. Isn’t this what you have said innumerable times defending the corruption of your Govt. You and Jaitley are two people who are very much alike. You have kept your wrongdoings under wraps creating a holier than thou aura. It is time you are taken to task.
And just to be fair to you, when you have never been fair to poor people of the country. I will say it again. Let law take its own course. If you have nothing to hide, why do you fear? Have faith in the law of the land. And yes, Give me a Break!
An Open Letter to Judiciary
Dear Judiciary,
A lot has been discussed, said, written, re-discussed, re-said, re-written about powerful people getting scot free for alleged crimes. From wealthy, to notorious, to politicians to film personalities. There are ample examples of people getting let go by police or judiciary over the years. There have been few cases of-late which were able to stem this. But they were a rarity rather than being the norm. Nitish Katara case and Sanjay Dutt case are the only ones that come to mind.
From Lalu to Jayalalita to Salman to Sonia to Rahul to Advani to Modi to Pawar. All are running free. Either freed from jail or out on bail. With a battery of expensive lawyers, they are all out of jails.
And I have no issues with them being out per say. They are rich and influential people and as term suggest they can buy and influence. What I have is the issue with the charade we go through for 15-20 years to finally come to the conclusion to let them free. Poor people meanwhile languish in jails without trail and never even get bail.
I feel we should better devise a formula which takes into account money a person has, what is his/her social/political standing and how popular he/she is. We can have separate courts for that. Based on the result of this formula, if a person fares well, he is acquitted then and there. Else he is put in jail without trail or bail.
It would save everyone a lot of time.
Modi Promise Break 2: Corrupt Roaming Free
Second in my series on Modi’s un-kept promises. I remember Modi’s speeches against the corrupt. Chagan Bhujbal, Ashok Chavan, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Robert Vadra, Suresh Kalmadi, Manmohan Singh, A Raja etc etc etc. The 2G, CWG, Jijaji scams. The Adarsh, the Coal, the irrigation scams. We all roared along with Modi against them. It resulted in Modi victory.
What has Modi done? They all roam free. Infact Modi attends social functions with few of them. We stand aghast. We stand cheated. Modi today have no answer when people asks, “Why do they roam free?” Sir, this is one of the reasons you lost Bihar. This is the reason you will lose more if you don’t do anything. Moreover you took control on Delhi ACB when Kejriwal started using it against corrupt. What should we make of all this?
Below are people against whom Modi roared a lot and now they roam free. Moreover no corruption money has been recovered from them till date.
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Suresh Kalmadi (2G Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Ajit Pawar (Irrigation Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Ashok Chavan (Adarsh Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Robert Vadra (Jijaji Land Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Manmohan Singh (Coal Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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A Raja (2G Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Chagan Bhujbal (Maharashtra Sadan Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
You took votes in lieu of putting them behind bars. But then you take no action in hope of forging alliances with them in future. Best of Luck!
BJP: Three in a row. ‘sup Bro?
Elections have proven to be a great leveler once again. Political pundits were left scrambling for the reasons behind by-election debacle of BJP. That it has happened three times in a row makes it all too noteworthy.
What can be the reason? Well I can think of few.
First is the ever thinning patience of the voters which I mentioned few days ago. People want corruption free, polarization free, appeasement free development. When General elections were fought on these principles, it paid. When assembly by-elections were fought otherwise, the party had to pay the price.
Next is the Modi wave or lack of? Modi didn’t campaign. Second rung firebrand leaders were at the center of it all. Had he campaigned, things would have been different. Also his silence on his party’s not so subtle forays of late, seem to have irked junta. Nobody wants another Manmohan. Hope these results instill some sense and for good.
Loss could also be attributed to the dearth of local stars. We haven’t had anyone of Rajnath’s stature in UP politics ever since he moved to Centre. It did hurt this time.
To put it in one word, it’s Arrogance. They started speaking the language of the ousted Government soon after taking power. Following the footsteps of the previous Govt in Governor issue, Less than honest means for Govt formation in Delhi and sting thereof, flaring communal tensions in UP, hiding behind norms and institutions, were few of such things.
If they need to survive, they must gain back public confidence. It can’t be earned by acting smart and by being arrogant. People see through it. Next time you try and hoodwink public, know this, we ain’t no fool no more.
Anna you betrayed us
Amidst the chant of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, the atmosphere was all charged up. Patriotism was in vogue again. A huge crowd had gathered at the ground while million more stuck to their TV screens. All were living a force-fed dream. A dream of corruption free India. A dream that we can make a difference. A dream that we do matter.
We saw rebirth of a frail, thin leader. A fighter without arms. Not the demand for food, but the refusal of it shook the very foundations of the legislative of the biggest democracy of the world. We all stood in unison, we did what he said, and we followed wherever led.
As the days passed. One…Two…Three, the pressure started mounting. The health started deteriorating. People were anxious, government was worried. Not for his health but for the backlash, if something happened. More so coz the ideology of party in power was based on fast-unto-death. There seemed no way out.
Some back room negotiations ensued. A tainted ex-CM from financial capital was rushed to Delhi. Anna you agreed. Having been betrayed by Govt., time and again, you still acceded to the letter and promises as if you were just waiting to pounce upon. It’s tough for me to say, but Anna it would have been better if you had withered sitting on the fast. Alas! somewhere down the line, your fast-unto-death became wolf cries.
The corrupt politicians unclothed you in front of public. The cheer-haran was painful. I ask Why? Why did you fool us into disbelief if you were not ready to go the distance? I know it’s tough to give one’s life and I for one cannot. But why did you make false promises?
Your movement is in tatters. Our belief stands shaken. You sided with the limelight hungry, self proclaimed Guru to get the zing back into your campaign, but I am scared now. Scared to be betrayed again. Scared that I will be left again in the midst to fend myself off.
It would be tough for me to believe in another Anna. So long Hazare!
Things I love/hate about Anna Hazare
- I hate that he makes me feel corrupt. He tries to wake up my conscience. He makes me uncomfortable. He irks me.
- I love that he does not contest elections and hold legislative posts. Scared if he becomes PM.
- I hate the fact that he brainwashes today’s youth into believing that corruption is a bad thing.
- I love when he goes on fast and his health deteriorates. Good Riddance.
- I hate that his crusade will take off food from plates of corrupt people like me.
- I love that people like him are not selected for constitutional posts in our country. Who would bear a lokayukta like him?
- I hate that my dream of owning a black money account in Swiss bank will remain a dream because of him.
- I love the fact that he is old.
- I hate that his legacy will continue forcing me to answer to laws of the land for corruption.
General Dyer @ Ramlila Ground
After an unusually long Saturday, I made a last dash to my TV remote, before going to sleep. Little did I know that sleep would be the last thing on my mind soon.
A betaal lookalike yoga guru, who has raised hell about black money, prevalent corruption and a long-dead system, with a tinge of political ambition, was about to be turned a martyr.
A veteran leader from the party in power stated, “We are not afraid of Baba. Had we been afraid, we would have jailed him long ago”. The relevance of his remark came haunting back with the sad scenes from the capital.
Sending in Police and Rapid Action Force at dead of the night to lathi-charge sleeping innocent common men, reeks of colonial hitlerocracy. When I first saw the movie, Rang De Basanti, the scene where peaceful candle light protest was crushed forcefully. I was sure such thing could never happen in my country. China perhaps, but not in India.
What has happened today has shamed me. How can I cite General Dyer now, when Jalianwaala Baag has been re-enacted in Delhi. Lathi-charge, tear gas and burning the stage are akin to the gunshots in today’s democratic times.
Thousands of people who have come from across the country, where were they supposed to go at the dead of the night? Why not do the same operation during the day? Tear gas is to be used on rioters and miscreants, not on peaceful sleeping people.
If I can’t even protest peacefully against the issues that are haunting me, what should I do? Should I become a naxalite? Should I become a terrorist? Should I hang myself? Should I leave my motherland and live a life of an orphan?
Yes, I am corrupt. But I support any such popular movements against corruption. Even if it’s political then so be it. Coz quite frankly, I am simply fed up of being corrupt.
You are not razing down Adarsh. You have not realized a penny out of 2G. You have not brought back even an cent of black money stashed abroad. But you do sent a 2000 strong force to raze down the shivir.
Baba has been extern-ed out of Delhi. If tomorrow I will raise my voice against corruption, Will I be extern-ed too? I think I will quote from a famous movie, Go to hell DK Bose.
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