India is being smothered by cascading scandals. Not one institution has been left untarnished. There are so many of them and by now so many high functionaries — Justices, Governors, Chief Ministers, Vice-Chancellors, Public Service Commission Chairmen, top brass of the Defence forces, media moguls — are involved that they have lost their ability to shock.
The ‘perks'
Nowadays, a big yawn greets the eruption of whatever is the latest in the series, and the people don't even bother to read the reports or watch the TV programmes till the end to know what it is all about. It is assumed that loot and plunder of public coffers, misuse of public office for personal aggrandisement and ruthless extortion of bribes to make one's pile of ill-gotten wealth are the perks of any office or position of authority or power.
Widespread prevalence of these monstrosities and the constant stream of news of persons caught red-handed and arrested have had the effect of freeing public servants of all categories from all sense of shame. In fact, they board the police vans to and from jails during hearings with a broad grin and a brazen V-sign!
Now and again, the High Courts and the Supreme Court upbraid the CBI or the Government counsel on some failure or tardiness but without any impact other than creating a minor excitement or titillation for the nonce. Even those upbraided feel no ignominy and brush it off and go their way.
The scandals rapidly pass across the mental screen and disappear into the void. Even those with retentive memory return a blank stare when asked to recall them. The memory of Bofors with all its collusive networks embracing every level and agency of the Government has already faded.
Does anyone remember that there was some time ago some scandal about Mr Buta Singh and if so, what? Wasn't there something about bribe money being taken to the residence of a Supreme Court justice, or some Justices playing about with provident fund money or something, or some Supreme Court Chief Justice letting his sons run a commercial enterprise from his official residence? Ask anyone, he will only fumble for an answer.
All that the dramatis personae who have had their hand in the till in the 2G spectrum scam should do to go scot-free is to wait it out until all the dust and din subside. Actually, whatever actionable evidence there was must have been deliberately or otherwise sufficiently mucked up to make it impossible for any court to find the accused guilty.
Ill-concealed glee
Ditto the Commonwealth Games-related loot. While the members of the committee appointed by the Prime Minister and the various tax, enforcement and investigative agencies go about their ponderous, time-honoured drill, the culprits would have time enough to erase any sign of their culpability.
At best, for form's sake, two or three would be arrested and produced in court, remanded to judicial and police custody for a few weeks, released on bail and everyone will live happily ever after.
No wonder, the tainted welcome with ill-concealed glee institution of inquiry against them, knowing full well it is the surest guarantee of escape from any kind of retribution.
There are also red herrings galore drawn across any attempt to bring the scoundrels to book. “Allegations are politically motivated” is the standard and universal refrain of all the political crooks.
Of course, ‘innocent until proved guilty' is an immediately accepted passport for entry into legislatures and Cabinets.
Well might the slogan of the sleazy be: Scamsters of India, unite, for you have nothing to lose by continuing to be what you are!
http://www.blonnet.com/2010/11/01/stories/2010110150340800.htm
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