Democracy and Corruption
By- Abdul Ruff Colachal
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The great thinkers spread ideas of democracy and freedom with a view to establishing a
global welfare society. But when applied to life by the politicians, the great ideas gave rise to corruption obstructing to equalization attempts even by a sincere state.The interconnection between democracy and corruption is well known and it has historical roots when a few persons tried, quite successfully, to control and swindle the national economy by raising the slogan of democracy, while the strong nations greedy of overseas wealth invaded countries on fictitious pretexts, including lack of democracy. All possible pretexts for exploitation and invasion continue even to this day when more people crave for democracy, seeking, at the same time, more wealth through any means.

Political corruption– the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate, usually secret, private gain– makes societal institutions totally corrupt.
Corruption is a very serious social and societal evil and it cuts into mass welfare and equality of chances, particularly for the have-nots. Developed countries have fewer problems thanks to huge resources available. In developing nations having fewer resources the practice of rampant corruption harmed the common people. Corruption generates economic distortions in the public sector by diverting public investment into capital projects where bribes and kickbacks are more plentiful. Officials may increase the technical complexity of public sector projects to conceal or pave way for such dealings, thus further distorting investment. Corruption also lowers compliance with construction, environmental, or other regulations, reduces the quality of government services and infrastructure, and increases budgetary pressures on government.

Corruption undermines economic development by generating considerable distortions and inefficiency. Economists argue that one of the factors behind the differing economic development in Africa and Asia is that in the former, corruption has primarily taken the form of rent extraction with the resulting financial capital moved overseas as well as invested at home. Individuals enter politics mainly to amaze, sustain and further enhance wealth. In the realm of corruption, East Asia is not different from West Asia, or South Asia from Central Asia, for instance.

Political parties in West as well as East, with no exceptions, thrive in corrupt politics and democracy provides convenient platforms for making as much wealth as it would be possible in a given situation. Corruption is all-pervasive passes through each and every branch of life and society. Anti-corruption agencies exist in addition to the corrupt bureaucracy and
politicians network and they make very little or no difference to the corrupt world. In the absence of free or genuine media concerns, the corruption has emerged as an independent institution trying to get their share in the over all booty, though occasionally flashing out scams. Loyal media also play a hide-and -seek role in corruption investigation efforts.

The UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) came into force in December 2005 has made none to bother about evils of corruption. Larger the democracy, greater the scope for corruption. Conversely, in small democracies the struggle for resources is stiffer because of more demanders and fewer resources. This leads to conflicts and wars in and around. It looks as if no one can evade the corridors of corruption in the country.The dilapidation of democratic institutions the world over is a matter of shame. Illegal intimidation by the authorities charged with delivery of justice is not uncommon in the world today. Not only the Bush administration intervenes in justice administration of the authorities concerned in the USA, but also the nexus between politics and jurisprudence is alarming. In developing countries the condition is horrid.

Russian President’s anti-corruption drive in Russia is badly criticized in the US and West for obvious reasons : their own company interests are also affected. Countries like USA and UK just don’t pay any attention to corruption scandals involving top politicians and bureaucrats, while the media stand by the governments in their attempts to hide the dangerous tentacles in corrupt politics of democracies. Rather, the general attitude of the state and media is one of sympathy towards corruption as unavoidable or promotable evil in democracies. US elections begin with fund raising activities by the candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties in the country. This contributes to rampant corrupt practices after the elections when the ruling and opposition parties are supposed to satisfy those who had released sufficient funds for elections with privileges, posts and other sources of revenue. In other words, the very democratic process here begins with corruption.

When the state or government, for some reasons, objects to corrupt practices that propels a controversy. The recent removal of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr.Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry by President Musharraf, which caused a storm in Pakistan, is a significant moment of the times, for it is intended to cleanse the corrupt institutions in Pakistan, which began witnessing basic elements of democracy, albeit in a limit sense and manner, years after the advent of Musharraf. The clamor for democracy does not differ much from autocracy in many countries, while the so-called military dictator Musharraf has even apologized for the attack on the media following the removal of CJP and allowed the former CJP to meet people and lawyers. The leaders of the so-called democracies don’t even apologize for what other do on behalf of the government, for corruption is taken as their birth right.

It seems people generally prefer corruption to true democracy. Pakistani “patriotic and democratic” politicians and media by enacting violent dramas and criticizing Musharraf’s timely action would only provoke an authoritarian rule in Islamabad. It is national shame that the former rulers of Pakistan Sheriff and Benazir, who talk at length about democracy, were involved in corruption cases of very serious nature. Although Pakistan is ruled by a military regime, people at helm of affairs have taken even limit democracy for granted and are indulging in corrupt practices as a matter of right. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was removed, may have several important judgments to his credit, but his involvement in corruption by misusing his position to benefit his kith and kin goes against his oath of office of CJ of Pakistan. Corruption involving the CJ of a nation speaks volumes about the way democracy functions in the country, in governmental as well as political domain.

When the CJ of a military regime could be so bold as to misuse his position for the benefit of his kith and kin, the condition in other types of countries, like so-called democracies, could be better left to imaginative power of thinkers. India, UK and US do boast themselves of maintaining flourishing democracy, but they seldom admit that corruption defines the programmes in their countries. No one cares for that. And, if judiciary and law and order machinery could “perform” thus badly, imagine the conditions prevailing in other departments and in “minor” democracies.

There has been quite hue and cry over the removal of the CJP in India too, of course for its own reasons. Those who make tall claims about democracy however fail to confess that democracy is in fact a farce and a technique to fool the people and enjoy the lion’s share of fruits of development by a select band of people. The corruption as malaise has deeper ramifications and a casual look at what is happening in the so-called democracies like India would remove the illusions of virtues of democracy and democratic values to some extent. Masses are needed only to cast votes and the rest in the resource sharing is left to the politicians and bureaucrats. Even there, the “free and fair” elections are nothing but a fiction generated by the election commissions. Corruption in various forms of misuse of authority and bribery takes its “legitimate” berth during the polls.

Indian democracy can at best be funny because it allows corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to stay on in power by using judiciary.Central government competes with the states in promoting corruption. In states like Karnataka nothing gets done at any level of administration by paying the usual charges, unless the palm is greased. That is the exact position in Indian democracy wherever one goes. Corruption gets institutionalized when politicians, parties and bureaucrats amaze wealth earned for their ” nationalistic and patriotic” services to nation and people.

Years ago, Lalu Prasad was removed by court orders from chief-ministership of Bihar on corruption charges, enabling his wife to come to power, but he could become a cabinet minister for Federal government controlling a huge ministry of railways which as the largest public sector undertaking transacts worth crores of rupees every day and employs maximum number of persons in the country. UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav does not know himself how much wealth he has amazed being in politics, as most of other politicians and bureaucrats in New Delhi and state capitals have no clear idea that their wealth is spread over so many areas and in various forms.

Jayalalithaa, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu in India, described by one of the most corrupt Chief ministers the state ever has had, outscoring her arch rival and present CM, Karunandhi’s record in the field, has allegedly managed to evade legal punishment because the “understanding” between her and the Judges, bonded through brokers.Not only she was safe, but she also became the chief minister again. In fact a bold Jayalalithaa would have staked her claim, if there were an award for the best corrupt chief minister of India. Her sophisticated corruption had made Karunanidhi look just an ordinary thief, who as the former chief minister had institutionalized corruption in the state by fixing prices for each and every job (from lowest to highest in every field, including education, law and order and judiciary), admissions to specialized and other courses as well as “services” rendered by the paid employees.The people have no reasons to forgive him for making even the police department corrupt by misusing them after appointing them by taking fixed amount for each category of the staff. But for Jayalalithaa’s mega scandals, Karunanidhi wound’t have come back to power again. Her scandals offered Karunanidhi olive leaf to appear to be a “decent” politician before the voters now, he continues to mint money with hi own people at the helm of affairs every where.His party, the DMK is also a coalition partner at the Central government, which is supposed to contain corruption in the country.

No political party is above luster and no body enters politics if that were not to benefit them foremost. Not even those in Jammu and Kashmir where people fight for Independence.All parties in India have enormous wealth, including movable, running into thousands of crores of rupees and since it is an all-party affair, no one talks about it. Nor the media most of them are run by the political parties and their supporters, cannot be expected to raise any alarm over the proportion of wealth accumulated by the parties and politicians, unless, of course, a particular politician is to be targeted for personal vendetta. Muslim League leaders, having pretensions of uplifting the Muslims, don’t feel shy of amazing wealth both at party and individual levels. When every body else is rich, why not we, they would argue. Those swear by working class, like Communist Parties have taken full advantage of the democratic climate to add fortunes to their own arsenals. May be communist leaders have acquired lesser amount of wealth than the rest, but the parties have huge assets and hardly they speak about re-distribution of those resources.

Occasional interference from the Federal/Central government at New Delhi were only farcical efforts to fool the general public, because the ruling parties at the Centre are seen dirtier than the regional parties and oldest parties like Congress party, which is also legitimately the most corrupt party in the country, have nationalized corruption and used it as a weapon only to blackmail weak chief ministers. As agents of the Central/federal government, the Governors, who as active politicians or bureaucrats help promote corruption. Horse-trading during ministry formations when there is a hung Assembly is common in India,( Parliament is not different from the Assembly in horse-trading). It then is the fault of the common people if they take the governors as decent administrators committed to country’s/state’s welfare. When governors and chief ministers are culprits for the scenario of corruption, one can image the type of Prime Minister India can proudly have from among these individuals. Can a President, drawn from this network, be expected to be Mr. Clean and efficient?

If one goes deeply in every member of State Assembly and Indian Parliament, a panoramic scene about nexus between democracy and corruption emerges and which would be threatening to any real believer in welfare of people. Suffix to take up a few random cases to elucidate the point clearly. When lawmakers become or behave like lawbreakers, there is very little that the judiciary can do, even if it desires. But Judges, who look upon the politicians and government for appointments and other favors, are not expected to rise above meanness when dealing with corruption cases and as a result some compromise formula is arrived that benefits the judges as well. There ends the fate of corruption cases in the country.

As politicians, bureaucrats, police and judges perform so meanness and money-minded, ably shielded by the loyal media run by wealthy magnets whose only concern seems to enlarge their establishments with the support of these “national” personalities, corruption is the net result. Blood relations always decide many issues in government appointments and training. It is well known feature that wives of officers and white-collar employees for several positions of NGOs and socio-political organizations. Here the influence of the level of position one holds in services is great. Sons and daughters are selectively chosen for positions and favors in democracies, where there exists a great variety of more eligible, better qualified and competent persons in fray.

All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug-trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities. In some nations corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. Pakistan’s military rule portrayed a different side of rule attempting to make the country corruption-free.But the political parties are provoking Musharraf to declare emergency, leading to authoritarian rule.

Musharraf is known for his fight against corruption. Those Indian commentators who “see” other dimensions of Musharraf’s action, including religious, should better ask themselves as to how many Muslim CJs of Supreme Court independent India can be proud of producing and what sorts of tricks played by Indian leaders to stop the Muslims from reaching the top seat of justice.

Musharraf, like Putin, with his action has done well in maintaining decency and decorum of political environment in the country. It is befitting for any right thinking person to applaud him. It looks, there is a vicious circle in Pakistan and abroad today eager to see him out not only from the posts he holds, but also from the world, and therefore his quick “wicket” has become the focus for the media too. World needs more like him. In slamming Musharraf for the sacking of a corrupt CJ, the Indian media have in fact done disservice to Indo-Pakistan neighborhood and friendship, which has been progressing thanks mainly to the stewardship of Musharraf, the general. Or, perhaps that is exactly what the Indian media want so badly, so that the ongoing Peace process could be halted?
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Dr.Abdul Ruff Colachal
JNU, New Delhi

The most popular theme of the day remains the so-called terrorism, described by the anti-Islamic forces in the West as well as East as an extremely violent action supported by weapons to massacre the innocent people by the so-called Islamic fundamentalist extremists, or the militant Muslims. A tentative analysis of the routs of global terrorism points to the fact that cause of terrorism is to malign Islam and slam the Muslims the way they want.Since the super power, the USA has successfully led the campaign around the world targeting the Muslims, there is no way the Muslims can escape the atrocities against them by the ruling circles in every country. Let me put the record st right. the Taliban in Afghanistan, unknowingly, terrified the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim forces across the continents with their Islamic agenda for their own nation. Even the Muslim nations that are not serious about Islamic way of life found themselves threatened by the developments in Afghanistan committed to Islamization. The US-led West effectively frightened the Muslim nations about the dangers of Islamizing the countries. There is hardly any doubt, therefore, that September 11 was worked out and meticulously planned and engineered by the US (CIA-Pentagon-Bush administration) to be able by the USA to invade Afghanistan. The rest is already history. Now the entire strategy of wars in Middle East is defined and controlled by the USA., and countries like India just follow its instructions in their domains. The end of the entire tragic episode will also be decided by the USA. Let us wait and see !

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Dr.Abdul Ruff Colachal
JNU, New Delhi

The most popular theme of the day remains the so-called terrorism, described by the anti-Islamic forces in the West as well as East as an extremely violent action supported by weapons to massacre the innocent people by the so-called Islamic fundamentalist extremists, or the militant Muslims. A tentative analysis of the routs of global terrorism points to the fact that cause of terrorism is to malign Islam and slam the Muslims the way they want.Since the super power, the USA has successfully led the campaign around the world targeting the Muslims, there is no way the Muslims can escape the atrocities against them by the ruling circles in every country. Let me put the record st right. the Taliban in Afghanistan, unknowingly, terrified the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim forces across the continents with their Islamic agenda for their own nation. Even the Muslim nations that are not serious about Islamic way of life found themselves threatened by the developments in Afghanistan committed to Islamization. The US-led West effectively frightened the Muslim nations about the dangers of Islamizing the countries. There is hardly any doubt, therefore, that September 11 was worked out and meticulously planned and engineered by the US (CIA-Pentagon-Bush administration) to be able by the USA to invade Afghanistan. The rest is already history. Now the entire strategy of wars in Middle East is defined and controlled by the USA., and countries like India just follow its instructions in their domains. The end of the entire tragic episode will also be decided by the USA. Let us wait and see !

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Dr.Abdul Ruff Colachal
JNU, New Delhi

(Abstract : Overseas remittances received from the Muslims working in the Middle East have contributed to the economic development of India, but the marginalized Muslims are not taken care of the governments)

Dear Sir:

Although there are no confirmed secret prisons in India as yet for torturing Muslims, but as an aspiring “strategic partner” of USA, India’s general attitude toward Muslims is alarming. India, whose main focus of national interest continues to be “Hindutva” (displayed discretely), yet claims to be the largest democracy of the world, whereas its neighbor, Pakistan is ruled by a military regime. Religious politics in India has badly harmed the genuine interests of Muslims in the country, who are increasingly used by the ruling classes as a mere vote bank, rather than treating as equal citizens, and in order to avoid addressing the problems facing the Muslims in a “democracy”, issue of Pakistan is often invoked by the politicians and bureaucrats.It appears that improved Indo-Pakistan relations would make the life of Muslims less hard some.

In this connection, Pakistan’s strenuous efforts to establish fruitful relations with India have shown some positive signs since President Musharraf came to power.The BJP led NDA government under A.B.Vajpayee also reciprocated the Pakistan’s genuine desires for good neighborly relations.Islamabad’s this achievement is significant considering the fact both fought a few wars and India made it a policy to snub Pakistan in international forums, routinely accused Pakistan of sponsoring “terrorism” in India and asked, quite unsuccessfully, the USA as well as UN to declare Pakistan a “terrorist state”, chiefly to undermine the US-Pakistan ties. When USA designated Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally, New Delhi lost all hopes of getting Islamabad sidelined or eventually driven away from Washington.

India does not hesitate using the Muslims as a tool in advancing its own national interest abroad while injuring and insulting them in all possible ways. By denying the Muslims their legitimate rights on higher education, jobs, retirement settlement and other benefits of socio-economic development, the federal and state governments block them from entering the real national mainstream. Essentially to settle score with Pakistanis and to discredit their image, India tries to malign the Indian Muslims. It is a common feature that death traps are laid for the Muslims at various spots, like the ones operating at Bhakra Nangal in Himachal Pradesh, Goa, New Delhi, Kerala and Tamil Nadu,

Establishment of Indo-Pakistan Commission in 2005 was a landmark in Indo-Pakistan ties, though New Delhi is keen not to push forward the relations that would perhaps be advantageous to Indian Muslims. Musharraf has made several unilateral proposals to ease tensions between the countries, including one on Kashmir, but Indian media just don’t seem to allow any serious, positive development taking place in the bilateral ties. However, reality of crude religious politics preferred by Indian politicians just doesn’t allow any real advances in the cross-border relations.

Recently a delegation of Archaeological Survey of Pakistan sent by President Musharraf visited India and met Indian leaders including the BJP leader Mr.L.K. Advani. They submitted a detailed plan for renovation work on Hindu temples in Pakistan at its own cost. Though not very sure, it seems, the Indian government might also be considering measures of reciprocation to reconstruct the grand Babri Mosque at Ayodhya, demolished in 1992 by the Hindu fanatic terrorists (non-terrorists?) led by Advani.

Clearly, the entire destructive project at Ayodhya in 1992 was misguided by a flow of hollow emotionalism. Of course, later Advani did repent for that barbarous act of arson at Ayodhya. Before the demolition, Government of India, in order to “justify” the ultimate destruction of Babri Mosque, was cleaver enough to first to prohibit Muslims from offering prayers in the Babri Mosque by locking the mosque and then to call Babri Mosque a “structure” that could be destroyed just like that.

Evidently, there are a few more mosques in India that are under the custody of the government or non-Muslims and are forbidden for Muslims’ entry or other restrictions are placed on Muslims. The government of India expects that in due course these mosques would also become mere “structures” only to be pulled down by some anti-Islamic forces. Protests by Muslims to regain religious entry have been total failure for known reasons. The fact that there are a number of the so-called “suspected terrorists”, arrested for no valid reasons, languishing in Indian jails without being tried vindicates the larger hidden agenda of the government against Muslim interests. For instance, the Jamali Mosque in New Delhi’s Mehrauli area, under the government occupation, is a glaring example of how shabbily the believers in Islam are treated in India. Here those charged with the task of protecting the mosque are found playing cards, smoking, drinking, –and what not– even during broad daylight.

Attack on Muslims and Islamic institutions, among other wrong doings, go on unabated and, obviously, the state is in glows with those who indulge in such anti-societal, anti-democratic activities. Interestingly, the Arab nations having clout in New Delhi do not seem to influence the Indian rulers to be fair to the Muslims also and treat them as equal citizens.Naturally, the average Muslims in the country did hope that some superman like “Osama Bin Laden” would save them eventually. But when “Osama” himself was seen being on the run, Saddam cruelly murdered and Mahmoud Ahmedinejad targeted for attack by the Allied forces led by the USA, even that faint hope for brighter “future” also died down in their minds.

Hypocrisy defines the actions as much of Muslims as of both the media and the anti-Muslim forces operating in the country. Overseas remittances received from the Muslims working in the Middle East have contributed to the economic development of India, but the marginalized Muslims are not taken care of the governments,In projecting themselves as secularists so as to be in the “national mainstream”, Indian Muslims identify themselves more with political parties like Congress, BJP, JD, RJD,SP,Communists, DMK and ADMK, etc– most of which pursue hidden anti-Muslim agenda and coordinate pretty well their strategies to keep the Muslims “down” and under duress and full control–, than with Islam. India while readily using the Muslim leaders of various parties and organizations, including the Muslim League, to obtain maximum benefits from the Arab world, refuses to address the essential problems facing the Muslims of the nation.

The fact the Muslims in India had, during the Partition in 1947, opted to stay back in India on the assurance given by the then Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru that they would be safe and their interests would be protected in India, but neither he nor his successors kept that promise, let alone considering them for “preferential treatment” as proclaimed by the Constitution of India. On the contrary, the Muslims are under constant threat.With no Mahatmas (Greats) around to support them, the Indian Muslims have been on the defensive since 1947.The same attitude is reflected in India’s attitude to Kashmiris, waging a long struggle for re-Independence and now known in New Delhi as “separatists” and “terrorists”, whereas, strangely enough, those who had fought for India’s freedom are called “patriots”.

Enough is really enough, and Pakistan seems to have woken up now to consider the plight of Indian Muslim as well by creating mutual trust between these countries.Without looking back,Indo-Pakistan relations should be further straightened. Hopefully, the delegation of Pakistan has impressed the Indian government to pursue reconstruction of Babri Mosque earnestly at the site where it stood before, as promised by the then federal Congress government when the Mosque was demolished. Even if it has not, government of India should on its own initiate steps to rebuild and “rediscover” Babri Masjid and help people in the country as well as across the borders live harmoniously.

It is time to think of positive steps of reconstruction not only of religious places in both countries, but also of truly friendly bridges between them and enhance cross-border ties between peoples — the beginning for that has already been made from both sides.It seems Nehru used to admire the line:” The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have a promise to keep….” The terrorism plank employed by the governments has already harmed the Muslims greatly. Who knows, one day some one in New Delhi’s corridors of power would care for those promises sooner than later, ignoring the ugly designs of the destructive forces existing to halt the peace process.
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Dr.Abdul Ruff Colachal
JNU, New Delhi

You are kidding right? where else does such a major population of muslims live peacefully under democracy other than in India. Have you visited the muslim dominated city areas like old city in Hyderabad? They cheer for pakistan when they play against India. Where else can you do that other than in India. Please.