Two days back, a TV channel telecast an interview with Julian Assange the Editor-in-Chief and public face of Wikileaks. Julian Assange started hacking computers at the age of 16 under a pseudo-name Mendax meaning `nobly untruthful’. Wikileaks has released cables and tapes contents of which have embarrassed many a government. In the course of his interview he made many points. Some of those that were very relevant in the Indian context are:
• Political and corporate institutions actively try to suppress information from the public. They try to suppress because they believe that if the public knows it will try to change and reform these institutions.
• We have to first understand how our institutions behave before we can come up with programmes to reform them.
• If you want the Indian government to really address corruption then it must become the central issue of the nation.
• Wherever there’s a disclosure, there is a counter smear campaign which is directly proportionate to how impactful is the material in the disclosure.
• Governments, corporations are not scared of Wikileaks having the information, but they are scared of public knowledge.
• Governments have to be pushed and pushed until they see that there is an advantage in giving a proper response.
In India, we have seen the truth in these statements all along and more so in the recent times. Whenever there is a big scam the first reaction of the government is to deny it. Then start a systemic attempt to distract the attention from the central issue. It is surprising that when questioned the spokespersons of the ruling party take pride in talking about the so-called actions that the government has taken against the persons involved. But what is the reality? Has the government taken action on its own? Or is it only under substantial pressure from the public or directive from the judiciary that some action has been taken? Has the action been swift and effective?
Last month, Anna Hazare the RTI activist went on a fast demanding speedy enactment of a comprehensive law like Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle the menace of corruption. The fast motivated a very large number of persons to support the cause. While that was noteworthy, the reaction of the government at every stage left a lot to be desired. Actions of Anna Hazare were referred as blackmail. Initially, the government refused to involve representatives of Civil Society in drafting of Lokpal Bill. Mr. Kapil Sibal stated that to involve the public in preparing the draft of the Lokpal Bill would be undermining the democracy and its institutions. It’s only under public pressure that the government agreed to public participation in drafting the Bill.
But let us not forget this is only the beginning. There are many hurdles at every stage. This was evident by the smear campaign against some of the prominent members of the committee constituted for drafting the Bill.
While one needs to be hopeful, a certain amount of cynicism is also justified. A strong Lokpal is only one of the instruments to move towards corruption free India. It is not an end in itself; it is not a magic wand. The draft presented by the Civil Society also needs to be critically examined. The institution of Lokpal, while having enough powers, must be accountable. Otherwise a well intended legislation will become a tool for harassment.
Julian Assange also mentioned that there are more Indian deposits in Swiss banks than any other nationality. There is no reason to disbelieve him on this. Even on this front the government seems to be doing precious little. The public perception, rather conviction, is that the government is dragging its feet because those who have money stashed it in Swiss bank accounts include big names from amongst politicians and other powerful personalities. While our government is reluctant to act, US and German governments have taken effective and unusual steps to bring back the money and bring offenders to book.
It is ironical that while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself is considered as an honest person, the present government presided over by him is regarded as the most corrupt government that independent India has had. But can the Prime Minister avoid the responsibility for what is happening? Is he `Nobly Untruthful’ in the wrong way? It will be a sad day if a person of his eminence has to retire with a tarnished image. On the other hand if the Prime Minister takes firm, swift and effective steps against the guilty in various scams and in the process has to leave the prime ministership, the nation will remember him with gratitude for a long time. Will he show that courage and conviction?
Sanjeev Pandit
Editor
