Delayed Morality

So the BJP has finally decided to let go of their first chief minister in the South. But before congratulating them or giving them the opportunity to take the moral high ground we should keep in mind the how and when of the whole situation. 

Mr. Yeddyurappa (Y) has after much resistance 'agreed' to resign from his post, sometime tomorrow (Sunday 31st). He has agreed. Not sacked like any corrupt official should have been, he has been provided an opportunity to vacate office respectfully. Not only that, Mr. Y has also been given a say in who succeeds him. This is perhaps the most preposterous idea ever. How can one expect a fair investigation when the accused criminal gets to choose the  judge and the jury. Indeed, how can one not doubt the BJP's intentions to actually resolve this matter as a criminal investigation rather than as yet another political calculation. We have heard much bullcrap about Mr. Y being a prominent Lingayat leader and the resultant backlash that might be brought upon by his removal.

This is the exact distraction politicians create in order to overlook the real issue at hand. Here is a chief minister of a state, backed by very powerful mining barons (conveniently also ministers in the same government) who has raped the state resources since joining office. What does the Lingayat community have to do with all of this? They must be angrier with the fact that it was one of their own who has brought shame to the state and community.

The larger issue here is not doing what is perceived to be the right thing. It is the how and the why behind such decisions which is of prime importance. Some might argue that off late there have been many ministers and other powerful people who have been removed from their influential posts or put in jail. Though that might be a good start, it does not take too long for the powers that are to lose their way.

Firstly, what is this nonsense about asking ministers etc. to resign? Resignations are spontaneous actions not induced. Why can't these people be sacked, like the rest of the world? In most recent cases people have been requested to leave on account of the heat they have attracted on their parent organizations/govts. Not because it would have been the right thing to do. The BJP is more worried about losing apparent support from a particular community and the more important not mentioned in public view concern that the Reddy brothers (ministerial mining barons of Bellary, they funded Sushma Swaraj's campaign against Sonia Gandhi) might withdraw their financial backing. In far away Delhi, the PM dragged his feet on the spectrum issue because coalition politics makes him incapable of making the right decisions. Also, Kalmadi was arrested only much after the games because we could not embarrass ourselves in front of the world. Well our netas have not heard of the internet it seems.

Secondly, all corrective action that our politicians take is exactly that, corrective. Reactive righteousness is nothing short of admitting a crime after it has been proved. Left with no options it is so much easier to do the right thing, seem gracious in face of undeniable truth. It is important to be proactive, set high standards and maintain them. The way we work now is despicable. Whenever a report damning the going-ons is expected our politicians stir into action. It is impossible to believe that they are not aware of what is actually happening without a retired judge having to do so.

Finally, there has to be the strongest will to convict and to deliver justice. Giving Mr. Y the privilege of choosing his successor will make sure that the investigation never takes off in an earnest manner. He will obviously control the direction of the investigation and subvert the judicial system. By the time the case reaches the courts it will be dead in the water. Mr. Y will then claim his right to chiefministership again. It is important not to have tainted politicians return to posts of influence again. They will be only wiser in covering their tracks and perfecting the art of manipulating the existing systems.

Doing the right thing is not good enough. Do it for the right reasons.

Low Expectations

Last week's events in the UK have again highlighted the secretive and uncomfortable (for normal folks) ties between the media and the politicians. Having witnessed similar events here in India, we nod knowingly instead of being totally shocked. However what is of great importance here is the contrast in how the involved parties have reacted and the overall manner of the going ons.

You have the prime minister of UK being questioned in parliament within the same week of the first arrests, the world's most powerful media baron being pied in the face, two editorial bosses being arrested, the top cop resigning and an institution of a paper being shut down. The last event was just sad though, typical of the corporate escapism that we see today.

Compare this to what happened in India post the Radiia tapes came out. A Raja resigned after much political calculations and some insignificant number of officials were arrested and put in jail. Anil Ambani visited those officials in jail, in a manner reminiscent of mafia bosses in The Godfather visting jailed mobsters promising them that they will taken care of. The new minister immediately came out with a statement that there were in fact no losses incurred, the PM said well i really dont know what my ministers are upto and the opposition leader was physically restrained from tabeling his report to the parliamentary committee. Of the few editors caught on tape only Vir Sanghvi chose to stop writing, Barkha is still out there fighting for the common man (or is it the congress, i forget).

Even though our constitution and democracy is based on the same system as in the UK, our political sensibilities are from elsewhere. Even though politics works in the same way here as the UK, how we react to events could not be more different. Our inability to get to the core of the matter is so well rehearsed that we dont even get around to prosecution or other trivial matters like delivering justice. There is an efficient machinery in place immediately pressed into action after each scam. Replace minister, form committee, deny deny deny, attack the opposition, send RB to a village to spend a night, and so on.

It is really a comment on us as a people. How we shy away from confrontation, from taking difficult decisions, from even expecting the right thing to be done. Why is it too much to expect Anil Ambani or even Dr. Singh to be questioned like extraordnary criminals? Why cant the keepers of our conscience, the media just admit that they fucked up? And do something about it.

This country really needs to start expecting more.

Treasure Troveananthapuram

So it turns out we are not a poor country at all. We just choose not to share our wealth. Not only that we don’t let people even know about it. Stupid World Bank; calling us a developing country. Just like the wise women of all Indian families the Sri Padmnabhaswamy Temple has been collecting valuables since the 17^th century. Maybe the then royal economist had forecasted some catastrophic recession in the future or maybe a destination wedding. Or maybe they just looted the people off all their wealth and kept it.  

To say the recent discovery of massive amount of jewelry and other expensive stuff is mindboggling would be well, accurate. 12 billion dollars and counting! Mukesh Ambani must be ashamed of himself. All that hard work, running companies, refining oil, what a waist! I can almost see politicians look up to their cronies and say ‘why the fuck don’t we have a temple?’.  This finding along with the pittance (12 crores in cash and 300 kgs of gold) found in Sai Baba’s rooms has presented our country with a sure shot growth model for the future. The poor communist Chinese we hear are now also thinking of embracing Hinduism in order to keep us at bay. Too bad!, we have a 5,000 year head-start.

This event has made sure that Anna Hazare and BR would be now relieved of their duties. Forget bringing black money back from offshore destinations. There are lakhs of temples here in India. Let us get going! I also have a plan on how to utilize the new found wealth. In keeping with the hundreds of years old trend of ignoring the poor and spending money unwisely here are the top ten options:

1.       Build a giant temple to Sachin Tendulkar

2.       Announce a Indira Rajiv Feroz Sanjay Gandhi Pension scheme for all priests around the world

3.       Give Pakistan half the money

4.       Buy Russia

5.       Replace the US Dollar with mini Vishnu figurines

6.       Invest in SBI’s long term plan for Senior Citizens

7.       Host the Olympics every year till we win another gold

8.       Give it to Sharad Pawar

9.       Buy back the Kohinoor

10.   Appoint Harshad Mehta as fund manager

The Wise Man Speaketh.

At least thats what we are told by the chosen few. I think the problem is we as a people do not get mad enough; enough. How long do we have to be treated like lowly subjects of the fucking government; like they are doing us a favor. One has to switch on the TV to see the ruling party's spokespeople wax eloquent about how magnanimous our PM is! It is his damn job for fucks sake. And there is a section of the media (NDTV, TOI, in particular) who have sold their souls for handouts from the government, giving in, being a colostomy bag for the sheer shit that comes from the idiots who speak on behalf of the govt. Today has been probably the most sickening collective display of sycophancy and self serving bias.

Many people might not know or care but today our elected leader of the government chose to speak to the people through five hand picked print media editors. Without cameras. I wouldnt have had a problem with the closed door meeting  if the government had not created so much hype about the forthcoming 'event'. This was supposed to be when the PM would answer all questions, silence his critics and fool the general public into thinking he is still in control. What we got instead was a secretive meeting with little credibility as to what really happened in there. I mean one of the editors came out and said 'The PM was so jovial. He was joking'. Even the most innocent supporter of the PM wouldnt believe that this man has a sense of humor.

The PMO website has posted the PM's opening statement, which runs more than 1,800 words! Given his pace of speaking, one wonders (as pointed by a TV commentator) where was the time for others to ask questions? There is also a preliminary transcript posted on the website, clearly prepared by a bored elementary school student copying notes off the blackboard. Maybe it was RG. The disrespect and disdain displayed by the PMO is unprecedented. Why are they keen on patting themselves on the back for addressing the media? It is in the job profile. This is the 21st century, someone needs to tell them. Well somebody did. When pointed out on a TV discussion that even Obama tweets, the congress spokesperson said 'we are doing better than them in economic matters and he (obama) should worry about that'. What the fuck does that have to do with anything! Its not Dr. Singh's style, they say. Well appoint someone else or ask him to get the fuck out.

The government, any government has to realize their duty to the people. They have to make people a part of the process, a part of governance. Governance cant be exclusionary, cant be the privilege of  bureaucrats and politicians. It has to be participative. Today's effort is too little and so elementary  that we as a democracy should not be discussing when the PM speaks. The government has to get over their high of being in power, feeling large hearted for speaking to us lowly people. This government has failed in its basic requirement of providing us with a functional government. With record scams, corrupt ministers, non-existent leadership this regime has lost its mandate to be in power. It is when governance has completely failed that people turn to whatever they have, viz. people like BR.

If this govt. really places the best interests of the country ahead of the party's (or the Gandhi family's) they should quit. The bunch of them. Like i said we dont get angry enough, enough.

Ready

This is not about Salman Khan's latest. Though it is hilarious as some claim the movie to be. Ready is what Digvijay Singh thinks Rahul Gandhi is, to 'assume' primeministership that is. Since Mr. Singh was kicked out of chief ministership, some ten years back, he has adopted the collective role of a coterie. On RBs 41st birthday Mr. Singh grandly announced his opinion that RB was ready to be prime minister. It is of little concern to him that the 2014 general elections are actually going to be held, well in 2014.

Also of little concern is Rahul Baba's track record. He has led, not led in reality because assuming responsibility would lead to accountability, he has guided the Congress' quest for power in UP & Bihar straight into the dustbin. Maybe Mr. Singh was impressed with Rahul Baba's daredevilery during the Greater Noida agitation. He didnt wear a helmet on that bike trip after all! Let us not forget the many nights RB has spent in poor dalit homes across the country. Coming from Delhi, the air-conditioned upper caste residential hub those night spends must have really given him perspective.

One might argue that the need of the hour is a young leader, to lead the country in this era of growth. Young is good. Inexperienced is not. Compare RB with Tony Blair (TB). TB became the PM of UK at the age of 43. He was a MP at 30, RB at 34. But the big and the most vital difference is how the two leaders came up the power ladder. While Mr. Blair climbed it gradually, assuming his party's leadership after 11 years of working for the party, RB is already at the top waiting for the ladder to be built so that he can hop on. The fact that his mother leads the party must make him the most secure leader in any country (including Kim Jong II). Not that RB is unaware of his priveleged status. In an interview few years back, he lamented the reality of dynasty politics in Indian democracy. But he finds himself helpless in view of pleas from people like Mr. Singh.

What we all overlook at times like these is that there is infact a Prime Minister in place in New Delhi. His name is...umm....Dr. Singh. He must feel appropriately emasculated that a succession plan is being put in place without him consenting to it or even being informed of it. It is still better than the time when ministers of his cabinet had called for RB to become PM some years ago.

In a country where we pride ourselves on a dynamic democracy, free press, functioning though overburdened judiciary, it would be a shame if the Congress' planned succession goes through with no questions asked. I am not a believer of 'we deserve the leaders we get' line of thought for the simple reason, political parties, especially the Congress do not allow new leaders to come to the fore. Cheap people like Mr. Singh add to the problem when they think announcing RBs readiness to be PM would be a gift enough for his birthday. Get him a helmet or a pillow atleast.

Shoot the messenger.

That seems to be the government's mantra now days. As much as one may disagree with the methods of the anti-corruption lobby, one cannot ignore the way the government is dealing with the issue. When cajoling and threatening did not work the government resorted to letting their dirty tricks department take over. As soon as a protest/activist becomes bigger than what they can manage, we start reading about their undisclosed assets, misappropriation of funds, shady aides and so on. I am not sure about what one would term the activists dharnas as, but this is definitely criminal blackmail and intentional mudslinging.

The fact that the govt. believes that releasing such information will dent people's faith in these individuals, is a testament of their short-sightedness. The govt.'s first instinct to a protest is 'stop this as quickly as we can'. The intention is always to stop the protest from taking place in public view. That is when we see sleazy politicians emerge, meet the activists, telling them 'let us take this inside'. Deals are promised, brokered, broken. I realize that both sides are involved in this whole tamasha, but the govt. is expected to behave in a much more responsible manner.

What also has got my goat is the fact the govt. had all the dope on these guys. If they knew or were certain that these activists were involved in illegal activities/have undisclosed assets; why has it waited for so long to take action. This is criminal negligence of the highest order. Indeed it is willful participation in suppressing the facts. The fact the govt. has prepared dossiers on activists, does not surprise me, the fact no one in the media brought it up, does. The message is clear: do not oppose us, we have dirt on you. This fifties style McCarthyism is a dangerous trend in our democracy.

Compare the campaign against the activists with what is happening to the politicians who are implicated in far more serious crimes. Suresh Kalmadi, A Raja, Kanimozhi. All of these people had years to cover their tracks before they even were booked! And here is our elected government threatening lowly civil activists, evicting them using force, publishing their financial records, and generally behaving like a bully who has been shamed by a much smaller kid. The congress spokesperson recently called Hazare an unelected tyrant. Ironically that term describes our existing power centers perfectly, Dr. Singh (unelected) and Ms. Gandhi (tyrant).

The government needs to acknowledge the issues being raised are legitimate and needs to stop undermining the people who raise them. After years of striking deals, buying over opponents, forming coalition govts with the opposition, the government has forgotten what dialogue means. The govt needs to rise above the individuals and give us answers. The leaders who raise them might be tainted, the questions are definetly not! 

Let the games begin!

Now that baba ramdev (BR) has been ejected from Delhi and the grounds cleared, the real games can begin in earnest. About time. It has been almost two years since BR announced his plans to launch a political party before the 2014 elections. Now he has been provided, on a very giant platter may I add, a perfect opportunity to claim the necessary mandate and reason to do so immediately. I can almost see Congress old timers getting nostalgic and thinking how good the summer of 1977 was. Emergency was in the air, opposition was in the jail, and people generally did not give a fuck. Unfortunately the last bit has changed and how.

In the coming days there will be serious repurcussions for the government and its political masters. The congress has unwittingly created another political rival who will pose a very credible threat to Rahul Baba's (RB) dreams of conquering UP. Not only has the party been shamed by it's sanjay gandhi-esque disdain for democracy, or civil behaviour for that matter, they have also provided BR with a legitamate cause to expand his one-act play to be novelized and then made into a film, with five sequels. The party's negotiators got it wrong from the start and ensured that the end was as spectacularly stupid. They did not see through BR's intentions of grabbing as much media attention, knowing fully well that his demands have been vague/irrational/changing with every demand met. Their inability to thwart a new political opponent has been challenged and they have failed. Miserably. Now what we, the citizens, will get is not our black money back, but yet another politician who indulges in hyperbole and can generally make a lot of noise.

What happened at the ramlila maidan was absolutely unnecessary. It is going to lead to an overtly righteous vindictive backlash. The cause is forgotten, it is egos now that will take centrestage. It would not be long before BR's campaign against corruption transforms into a campaign against the congress. And we can expect the congress party to respond in typical fashion, blaming the RSS types being a part of this protest, badmouthing BR (Digvijay Singh, please shut the fuck up) and being in absolute denial. The leadership as has been the trend; is nowhere to be seen. Sonia Ji (SJ) and RB have not uttered a single highly accented word to the media. Where is the midnight motorcycle ride, where is the meeting with the PM with ladies who got thrashed and tear gassed on saturday?

As always is the case with political slugfests, we are the only losers. BR is already being percieved as the wronged one. The congress now does not have to do anything about the list of its ministers who hold black money in overseas accounts. They might lose face, or worse the elections in 2014, but that will be enough time to move onto larger, better executed scams!