Bull's Eye

Vigilance Bureau chief A.P. Pandey estimates that investigations in this case will eventually uncover Rs 100 crore-worth cash and assets accumulated through bribes. An estimated three hundred appointments of officials in the administration, judiciary and police were procured through these bribes. Political leaders, high court judges and senior police officials were among the bribe-givers.

This isn't about mere corruption. It's about the parallel system through which India is governed. This isn't about Punjab but about the whole nation. It isn't about today but the last 50 years. For decades junior officials have been recruited through bribes. Now the cancer has spread to the top.

Political leaders, judges, police officers and bureaucrats who give and take bribes administer the nation. They are expected to redress grievances of ordinary citizens. Should it surprise therefore when corruption cases drag on for decades? When police deliberately ruin investigation? When judges look the other way? When despite damning evidence VIPs escape punishment?

This column has stressed repeatedly that the Gujarat crisis demands a change, not just of leadership but of the system. Politicians in government and opposition refuse to focus on specific media information. Newspapers named Gujarat ministers who sat in police control rooms to hamper rescue operations. They named ministers who encouraged rioters. They reported how the state government refused to act against erring ministers despite advice from the Centre. The government hasn't denied these reports. Yet it continues to defend Modi.

Without accountability, where is democracy? Two things can happen. Either the top leader can be tough and ruthless to extract accountability. That would have a trickle-down effect to eventually reform the system. Or citizens who cannot suffer injustice will start supporting terror and insurgency. Let the PM decide what he wants.

Night becomes day,
Day becomes night,
If I can have my way,
Things become right!