Use common sense,not technicalities
Recent ecent events bring home to us that the functioning of our governance structures leave no stone unturned to cause dismay. It is evident that the emphasis is on woodenness and technicalities, not on getting to the nub of an issue, much less empathy for the context. These characteristics are not unique to the UPA-led system, but as the government loses its sheen, thanks in some measure to its attitude of not communicating with the people, the mud seems to stick more and more. Once your stock goes, nothing seems to go right. Such a juncture ought to dictate humility, and a sympathetic look at matters of concern to the people. But not for those who are running the show.
Take what’s happened to Arvind Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service officer who has been out to slay the demon of corruption for some years, whatever the view some may take of the way he has gone about it. The case appears symbolic of just what the Anna Hazare campaign was all about — extraordinary delays in government, with the matter being settled through a bribe. There is evidently a dispute between Mr Kejriwal and the cadre he served on whether he has cleared his dues, and whether or not he remains on the rolls of the government. It is typical that the government should continue to write inane letters to him over a period of four years, the latest of which arrived when the anti-corruption activist was one of the key commanders of Mr Hazare during the recent Ramlila Maidan campaign — that is to say at the peak of his popularity at the head of an unprecedented anti-corruption movement. This letter was clearly calculated to create the effect that the government was being vindictive. Should the matter not have been settled by the government within six months at best of the officer putting in his papers, if necessary by taking recourse to the law?
The privilege notices to Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi and Mr Kejriwal are no less galling. True, the trio were not decorous with language when they denounced the class of our MPs, and might even have attracted libel had they named names. But in a raucous democracy, this ought to be par for the course. MPs cannot be allowed to act precious. The case of Justice Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta high court is different, but it too underlines technicality and foolishness, not the play of robust common sense. The man has resigned, but the shadow of impeachment is yet to lift fully. Isn’t the purpose of impeachment to get the recalcitrant in high places to vacate office?
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