An Exemplary Historical Verdict from Parliament
Posted : December 23, 2005 at 7:10 pm [IST]
A historic decision of parliament has come today with expulsion of 11 members. Sting operation carried out by a media group has taken its toll. Will technology be able to take the corrective action for this major national weakness of corruption? Corruption must go from the national character. But every individual has a right to demand justice, if he feels aggrieved with a decision. Perhaps that was what the leader of opposition was trying to argue.
Let me give the story. 10 Lok Sabha members and a Rajya Sabha member were secretly filmed taking money to ask questions during a sting operation mounted by Internet portal cobrapost.com and Aaj Tak TV channel. Further, Star News channel aired secretly filmed footage of seven MPs asking bribes for releasing funds from the MP Local Area Development scheme. Parliament took decision in the first case on the last day of the session. For the second incident involving additional 7 MPs, perhaps a similar decision will come in next session.
There may be many arguments for or against the decision. However, I fully justify today’s one. Sometimes, you are to be ruthless surgeon to do away with a major ailment. My only apprehension is why the system can’t take a similar ruthless decision when it comes to hundreds and thousands of crore of scams. Why does the system tolerate Sukhrams? Why does it take years and no conviction in cases such as one of Mayavati, Lalu Yadav, and many bureaucrats?
I have some more queries on our value system. Why couldn’t even a single MP of those involved resign before being expelled by the parliament? Why couldn’t some other member decide to dissociate from the rotten political system based on what they know and saw on TV screen? Why can’t the provision of fund under MPLAD- the source of corruption be scrapped and the amount be allotted to Bharat Nirman? Why can’t all other reported corrupt practices discussed on the floor of parliament be also a measure and reason for expulsion?
And at the end, I raise a question about removing bias in the motive of the sting operation that was carried out. Was it tested on MPs of all classes and parties based on a statistical sampling method? What happens if it is with a mischievous motive? Do the media and its people get a total legal immunity? Will media carry out a sting operation against its members who take undue advantages from the politicians? Why do the media today don’t reveal any corruption from the private and public sector enterprises? Are they taken care of well in advance through some public relation activities of the enterprises?
Lastly, I wish some study is required on the subject of corruption through some institutes that have some expertise about the basic reason for persons getting into corrupt practices for even so small an amount. And then I have a question. Why can’t the society discard or boycott these people?
I was morose with a news from China that said, ‘China has prosecuted and punished nearly 50,000 corrupt officials over the past two years during an on-going campaign against graft.’ I felt sorry thinking why our system does not do it. Today I am happier, as I am sure our parliament has set an example better than Chinese.
- Indra
Category: Indian politics |
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