The Constitution was mangled by experts to swear in as chief minister a convicted felon like Jayalalitha. Immediately after that, this columnist posed ...
It was pointed out that legal hurdles had been cleared for criminals like even Veerappan, Dawood or Dara to be sworn in as chief ministers. They had only to obtain majority support in any legislative assembly. Recent events show that more than legal hurdles have been cleared. Now no moral inhibitions remain to swear in such criminals as chief ministers.
Indeed, it might be argued that Veerappan or Dawood would possibly have displayed more finesse and grace than Jayalalitha in arresting a political foe likeKarunanidhi.
The Congress party spokesman praised the arrest of Karunanidhi because the latter faced corruption charges. But what about the manner of the arrest? Jayalalitha herself was arrested by the court, not by the government. Proper procedure and decorum were observed by the arresting officers.
Is it proper legal norm for the police to storm in after midnight to arrest one accused of corruption charges when there is no intimation of the victim contemplating flight? Is it proper conduct to use excessive force against a sick septuagenarian who is not resisting arrest?
The Congress party spokesman airily dismissed questions about police misconduct. He said that aspect was of no concern to him.
One does not have to read news from Manipur or Bihar or from any other state to know that a most serious crisis threatens the Indian republic. The question is, what went wrong?
An unintended answer may be found in Hindustan Times of June 25. To commemorate the imposition of the Emergency, an article was published lavishing praise on Indira Gandhi. It made out that she imposed Emergency to save India from chaos.
In fact, Indira Gandhi committed treason. The Janata politicians, her former colleagues, lacked the stomach to punish her. Instead, they resorted to petty harassment that brought her public sympathy. These days, they have not the slightest inhibition to ally with those tainted during the Emergency.
Thus did politics come full circle. Inevitably, a permissive attitude towards political crimes rapidly escalated. Politicians are disgraced, they are never punished. The Establishment ensures that.
The rot has gone so deep that now one has to ask: is the Indian republic alive?
He made a mistake, poor chap—
But he is one of us.
Common folk must take the rap,
It's jail without a fuss!