23rd February

Too Little, Too Late

The article contemplates over the existing lack of accountability and transparency prevailing in the Indian judiciary that weakens the democracy overall.

The recent verdict against Former Union Minister Sukh Ram for allegedly disproportionate funds comes after 13 years of trials and that too only at the trial court level. This is too much time for any judicial system to give verdict for such a high-profile case and with Sukh Ram appealing in the high court; it is less likely that he would get punished in his lifetime. If this is the pace for minister-level cases, then it would take even more in the case of lower rank govt officers and public servants. Such lack of accountability and transparency from the judicial side on corruption issues weakens the overall democratic structure. However, it has been seen that judiciary itself has been found in the dirty game. Although SC Justices reveal their assets to CJI, CJI himself has refused to reveal the information in public. This becomes all and more necessary after recent corruption charges against judges of high court, former CJI and a sitting judge in Calcutta High Court.

In fact, judiciary should be more transparent in corruption issues due to its own role as a watchdog. Since, CJI himself has recommended removal of Justice Soumitra Sen, accused of misappropriation of funds and an impeachment move has been initiated (which cannot be started without signature of at least 100 members of Lok Sabha and 50 members of Rajya Sabha), government should act on it soon instead of shielding the matter.

Catch Some Mice

The article talks about the CPM’s chimera of creating a Third Front at the center since none, Congress and BJP, gave a heed to its socialistic ideologies since capitalism is the only way perceived for the path of progress of the country.

After confronting with UPA over the nuclear deal issue, the CPM has been thinking to create a Third Front to keep both, Congress and BJP, away from center at any cost. However, in the past, such efforts have not been successful due to personality issues, ideological conflicts and lack of coherent political strategy. None other party is a pan-India party as Congress and BJP. Even BSP, the biggest hope for CPM, does not attract national appeal. In such times, a coalition of several small parties at the center with disparate agendas could be no less then a national disaster when the country is already fighting with economic crisis and national security issues.

Incidentally, no party has chased the CPM dream of socialism in India. Even a section of CPM itself feels less convinced about the idea. The CPM govt in Bengal itself has turned practical to invite capitalism in the state since it’s the only way to progress. The author, sarcastically, urges CPM to catch the mouse and not to worry about the color of the cat i.e. focus on the national progress and not the way it is achieved.