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Don't condone corruption. Stand up and fight it

Gulab Kothari | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:50 IST

Sanctity and integrity of character give identity to an individual. But public life also requires a consideration of the concerns of the others. One should be careful not to hurt anyone by his or her conduct and facilitate the spiritual development of all. Reviling a disingenuous man will only malign your heart. It will not reform the other person. Changing anybody's destiny is not in our hands. We can only decide our own actions. What we sow, so shall we reap.

One of the alternate ways of living is to dedicate yourself to society. Apart from fulfilling your own desires, you should also repay the debt of your country and mother earth. One should always be willing to struggle against the impediments in the way of nation's progress. This path elevates our being to new heights and destinations.

Also read - The judiciary is setting the balance right

Lord Krishna spent his childhood fighting demons in holy Brajbhoomi. He played a decisive role in defeating the unjust Kauravas on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. While slaying Ravana was the pinnacle of Lord Rama's life mission, he had undertaken the task of liberating the pious Yajnabhoomi from devils at an early age.

Krishna preaches in the Bhagwad Gita, "Mamevansho Jeevloke, Jeevbhoot Sanatan". This implies Krishna, the supreme entity, is lying dormant within all of us. It is our duty to awaken the God in our heart and soul. This is the best course to free our society from the evil of corruption.

The challenge

The country is suffering depredation on a mass scale. It's precious resources are being sold in the name of foreign investment. A handful of corporates are treating the earth as their private property and amassing the spoils of loot. They have the songs of conserving nature on their lips, but an axe in the hand to efface the trees.

The mankind is being deprived of green shades and the melody of raindrops falling on the ground. The dwellings of birds are shrinking drastically. Millions of them are falling prey to human greed every year. Shame on such licentious beasts!

The time demands every youth to become an incarnation of Lord Ganesha. My previous article delved into the battle afoot between the judiciary and the corrupt forces. The legislature and executive branches of our democracy are apparently in cahoots to perpetuate the unscrupulous status quo. It is clear they are hand in glove against the judiciary's efforts to cleanse the system.

While not all 'your honors' are free from the temptations of lust and money, most of them still discharge their duties keeping in mind social and national interests.

It was discussed in the last piece how some elected governments are behaving like feudal lords. They are neck-deep in debauchery. The ruling class often shields criminals, despite strong evidence against them. This is because the exploits of venality reach up to the top echelons of power.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister might feel the heat if tainted IAS officer Ashok Singhvi is punished. Therefore, shrouding his deeds becomes 'public interest'.

Rajasthan CM is defending tainted IAS officer Ashok Singhvi's deeds. Why?

Can one expect some of the top politicians to escape, if the truth comes out in various graft scandals in Madhya Pradesh, including the Vyapam scam? Similarly, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh could be in serious trouble if the reality of Salwa Judum encounters or shady deals in the coal mining scam are thoroughly investigated.

Instances

There are thousands of such examples in virtually every state. Are we supposed to just keep on counting them? What has paralysed our sensitivities to such an extent? Why doesn't the blood of younger generation boil at the plundering of our country's wealth?

The time will never return for all of you who are in their youth. This is your age to make a difference. Arise and take a vow that you will do something for your state and the country. Strive to teach a lesson to all those who stand against a better tomorrow. One of the methods could be to socially boycott the persons found guilty of corruption, even if they happen to be powerful politicians.

You must have read Uttarakhand High Court's remark that "no government will survive five years if corruption is used to dismiss governments". However, only a few culprits have faced the consequences till now. It is because the courts have their own limits. The power to go beyond these constraints rests only with the public. The youth should take the lead in awakening the masses.

The Rajasthan High Court had ordered to remove numerous encroachments that came up in the catchment area of the Ramgarh Lake near Jaipur halting the free flow of water to it. It was incumbent upon the government and the administration to implement the decision. However, encroachment in the catchment area still prevails and the lake remains dry to this date.

It is no secret that the land near the lake was usurped mostly by corrupt leaders, bureaucrats, and rich businessmen. We cannot expect them to act against their own vested interests. It is our collective duty to bring the ground reality to court's notice. We should present all relevant evidence in front of the learned judges, whatever might be the outcome.

This is just one example. The people must ensure the compliance of court orders in all such matters of public interest. Be it Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat or any other part of the country. The judiciary will take all erring governments and officials to task once the proof of contempt of court start reaching it.

I had myself written a letter to the Rajasthan High Court regarding flouting of the master plan by the administration. There is an increasing need for awareness in every such matter. The bureaucracy will be forced to implement court's verdicts if the common man is vigilant.

Appeal

Don't refrain from writing to the Chief Justice and furnishing all the available evidence, whenever a case of wrongdoing comes to light. You can also send a copy to Rajasthan Patrika, if necessary. We will help your cause in every possible manner.

Don't remain silent, if you have the evidence that somebody is escaping the law through wrong means. Wake up every morning with this resolution. Cheap glamour and entertainment can deviate you from the struggle for truth, especially at your age. Instead of falling for such distractions, write the history of a new revolution with your blood.

The future belongs to you. You are the master of your own destiny. You will live the circumstances that prevail in the years to come. A vast majority of people do not have access to basic amenities of life like drinking water, even after seven decades of independence. In contrast, the affluent ones boast of expansive lawns and lavish swimming pools in their houses.

Don't remain silent, if you have the evidence that somebody is escaping the law through wrong means

More than half of the population still lives below the poverty line. This demonstrates the real intent of our legislature and the executive. Not many of them seem bothered about the plight of the common man.

The youth is the only hope of this nation. Make small groups in villages, collect information through RTI applications and investigate the truth behind media reports. Stop the wagon of corruption and disdain for court judgments like Lord Ganesha. Patrika will always be with you in this mission. As they say, God helps those who help themselves. Just be the change you want to see and the current order of development is bound to transform.

More in Catch - Corruption in AIIMS: whistleblower Sanjiv Chaturvedi intensifies fight with JP Nadda

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First published: 24 April 2016, 1:45 IST
 
Gulab Kothari @CatchNews

The writer is Editor-in-Chief of Rajasthan Patrika.