Began Well, Ended with Question mark

Two thieves were chased by a mob. If they were caught, they would be lynched. The two had to run for their lives. They saw a public gathering (mela) where the people were watching entertainment and enjoying themselves. Both ran into the crowd. The mob also reached the spot shouting, 'catch the thief'. The clever duo also joined the chorus 'catch the thief' which resulted in chaos. The thieves could not be identified; they just melted in the crowd. In India, catching the corrupt is like catching the thieves in the story. They are part and parcel of the crowd. The cunning Chanakaya is believed to have said that as it is impossible to know when a fish drinks water, it is impossible to know when people are corrupt.

There was always dissent against corruption in the history of India. Sure, there were movements against corruption that experienced natural death. Few shout from roof tops like prophets. Some are lonely voices within the corrupt system. Media once in a while focuses on this issue.

However, Anna Hazare fast caught the national attention and imagination. The media played its role to high light this while ignoring several other good causes. The media had a guilty conscience of over selling World Cup Cricket and wanted to do some penance and chose Anna Hazare fast against corruption. The 'geek generation' sent their tweets and did their part and were satisfied.

The whole exercise ended up in a whimper. The hero gets a place in the committee that would draft a bill that would effectively curb corruption. Is it a realistic option for eradicating the evil of corruption in India? Or is it just a wishful thinking? Let us examine the basis of this movement and its unfortunate end.

The whole movement is based on an idea that all politicians are corrupt and the ill on the nation is corrupt politicians alone. This is a sophisticated myth. Instead, corruption should be considered from a holistic perspective. The bureaucracy, the private sector, the judiciary, the non Government Organizations and even the religious institutions are also corrupt. Targeting only the politicians is a mistaken idea. It has to be uprooted from the minds and hearts of the people before it is rooted out of Indian society.

A Law alone cannot bring change in the minds and hearts of the people. Let us consider the law against Dowry. How far has it been successful? There are daily reports from all parts of the country regarding dowry deaths. The dowry transaction also happens in the form of cash and kind and there is no bank transfer to avoid Government action. It is a socially accepted, respected and tolerated evil. It is very clear that a Law cannot change the mindset of people as it did not change the Indian society with regards to dowry. There are also other laws that is against Child Marriage or Child Labour that is more violated than observed.

The toleration of corruption in society is so ingrained in psyche of the society that people who are corrupt are nor do remorseful or shameful but proud, arrogant and even seem powerful. The social approval of corruption has given boost to corrupt practices at all levels of the society. It is not just corruption in high places; it is corruption in all places. Unless the society 'shames' a corrupt person, corruption cannot be rooted out from the society. When a society is obsessed with money and power, it is least bothered about values. The corrupt become rich and command more influence and power. It is easy for a corrupt to pay huge dowry and get his daughter married off; how many men of spine can say 'No' to such offer. The corruption is so rampant that the benefits (Adarsh flats) meant for widows of men who died in war could be taken by army officials and politicians without shame.

A trader is upset that he has to pay bribe to get his license to do legitimate business. His frustration is reasonable and valid. At the same time, he does all transaction in cash, maintains two account books and cheats the Government as he evades taxes. He does not see himself as corrupt, however sees a bureaucrat as corrupt. This 'labelling' of corrupt as 'other' is a favourite pastime of Indians. One who evades tax is equally corrupt like an bureaucrat who demands bribe to discharge his legitimate duties.

Personal convictions also count in the fight against corruption. The moral values have fallen in the public domain. Consider the number of pilots arrested for submitting fake documents? They are not poor, but educated middle class. Success is more important than moral values for these individuals. As the society worships success, the idol of success has to be procured at any legitimate or illegitimate cost. Unfortunately, the illegal cost paid for success is not seen as a form of bribery but as 'smart investment'. When new 'brand names' are given for corruption, they become sophisticated business term not nauseating moral lapse.

The role of religious establishment is very important in the fight against corruption. Is it possible for religious leaders to make statements and post statements in religious places: "God does not accept money from corrupt sources" If not the regular religious establishment there are several individualistic groups that gladly welcome such funds without any inhibitions.

Media portrayal of people in movies and television serials are not realistic. It is show as if a Sub-inspector of police owning a huge house in the centre of city with so much furniture and gadgets. A real police sub-inspector sees such media portrayal and thinks that is real and aspires to be like the media sub-inspector. In the process, he chooses dishonest wealth through bribes as short cut to success. A clerk in private sector aspires for his own house or sends his son to a city 'English medium' school. A politician needs Rs. 15 crores to fund his election and buy share in global market or invest in restaurant in Hong Kong. These aspirations are beyond their means and capacities. Consumerism mentality fuels corruption.

Unfortunately, in India the corrupt go scot-free. How many corrupt politicians or bureaucrats are punished? Few years ago, a politician was caught with Rs. 4 crore of unaccounted money in his home. The Income Tax officials raided his home and got hold of that money. The politician is reported to have said; "Take the money, calculate the income tax, deduct it and give back the rest." There was no remorse for being corrupt, but wanted the money intact, back as soon as possible. How many corrupt politicians or bureaucrats or business people are behind bars? Instead, they become more powerful in their respective field. Whistle blowers would be ruthlessly killed. Even if they are arrested, they feign sickness and there is battery of lawyers, doctors to give false certificates; so be in a private hospital enjoying all facilities. The judiciary has become a slow moving tortoise, harmless to anyone. There is no fear of the law of the land.

There is a need for holistic approach to make India corruption free where corruption of cultue in well entrenched. It should be a multi-pronged approach. To expect miracle from a law is futile exercise and is just a day dream. Education has to be value-based education. Today education is geared just for success in a fierce competition. There is a need for reform in education system. Media should be promote advertisements free of cost educating people on corruption. Government should become transparent that all information is made available to people in all offices and on websites. Religious leaders should teach the faithful regarding this. People should socially boycott the corrupt. Then the Laws could be effective, provide they are implemented without favourtism or delay. It is a long way to go!