Breaking news about politics is sickening but still vital

When IT icon Narayana Murthy meets newspaper editors he makes it a point to say, "Your front page is full of news about scams, crime and politics. Don't spoil our breakfast. Give us some `feel good' news?" Murthy cannot be faulted on this. He conveys the feelings of the people who are fed up with the vitiated atmosphere around us. Newspapers have started changing the way they look at news. They are focussing more on development, education, health, sports and entertainment. Still, they can't afford to brush ugly news under the carpet. Then, they would do more harm than good.

How can criminal, anti-social and corrupt elements be brought to book if they aren't exposed? Won't they go on with their misdeeds?

Had the media not covered extensively the money-laundering during Commonwealth Games, would the scam have come to light? After all it's public money. Heads must roll. So is the case with scams involving ministers that have been surfacing in Karnataka. Or raids by the Lokayukta on corrupt officials. Or open poaching of MLAs to save or topple a government. Illegal mining activity in Bellary. Misuse of relief for flood victims. The list is unending. These can't be ignored. Yes, sensationalism is wrong. But the wrongs must be exposed.

Take the ugly political drama that Karnataka witnessed in the last few months. Lust for power was at its worst. Poaching was done openly. Every ruling legislator wanted a ministerial berth. Every minister wanted a lucrative portfolio. Every MLA was ready to be `purchased'. Scams tumbled out every other day. The opposition was no different. Its leaders had a one-point agenda: bring down the government at any cost. They too had no qualms about poaching. Could this tamasha be kept away from the people? Shouldn't they be told what the worthies they elected were doing?

The judiciary had to intervene to bring in a semblance of stability. The high court upheld the Speaker's decision to disqualify 11 BJP MLAs, who had petitioned the Governor saying they were withdrawing support to the Yeddyurappa government. Backing the rebels and even keeping them under his custody was H D Kumaraswamy, former CM and JD(S) leader. The court verdict came as a big relief for Yeddyurappa. And a loss of face for Kumaraswamy. But the problems are far from over. With the rebels deciding to move the Supreme Court, the Damocles' sword continues to hang over Yeddyurappa. And if byelections have to be held for the 11 seats, he and his party will have to strive hard. Or else, the government will get back its minority status, which means a fresh round of poaching and return of the ugly tamasha.

The situation is hopeless. Voters are feeling helpless. They can't ignore the happenings either. Neither can they intervene. They hang their heads in shame. They wish they have the power to recall the erring netas. They are shocked at the growing greed for power. They fear that a mid-term election might throw up another fractured verdict, as the credibility of all parties is low. A no-win situation. They are caught in a chakravyuh. Never before had politics in Karnataka plumbed to such depths.

PARTING SHOT

Well said, Justice Hegde

When Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde received the Rotary Award for `his unswerving commitment an unflinching courage in discharging his duty', no one was surprised. He deserved it. But what he said on receiving the award was interesting. "It's a shame that we government servants have come to a stage where we get recognition for discharging our duties... I need not have to go in search of corrupt government officials. They are right outside our doorstep. It's no longer a case of searching a needle in a haystack. Rather it's the other way round." Don't we need more Justice Hegdes?

By Amer Hamzah Arshad

Yet another lawyer intimidated for doing his job. When will this end? Never …unless the people stand up, unless we see naked abuse of power for what it is and call it as it is, and when we start demanding only the highest of standards from those who wield power and authority.

Lawyers For Liberty's N. Surendran

Two days ago, my friend and Lawyers For Liberty’s N. Surendran was issued with aRMAF letter (read: threat) dated 28 October 2010. The RMAF “advised” Surendran to advise his client to do something which Surendran would never do – surrender to the RMAF.

Surendran’s client is a former RMAF sergeant currently facing a criminal charge for allegedly being involved in the jet-engines fiasco. In the course of carrying his duties as a lawyer, Surendran raised numerous issues regarding the fiasco and also in relation to the manner in which the RMAF had treated his client while under investigations.

For acting without fear and favour, Surendran has been issued with what appears to be a threat.

On one previous occasion there were 100 or more lawyers offering to be part of LoyarBurok’s Team 100 to protect the Bar Council’s MyConsti campaigners in face of a police report lodged by a misguided group. I hope the same individuals and others who are reading this will rise and put a stop to RMAF’s unacceptable act of intimidation against Surendran and his client.

Surendran is not just a lawyer but a dear friend of mine and I would like to make it known to all and sundry that any act of harassment or intimidation of him, is an act of harassment and intimidation of me and members of the Malaysian Bar.

Surendran was merely doing what any right-minded lawyer would do. It is quite obvious that there are some people in the upper echelons who are unhappy with the manner he is carrying out his duties. RMAF’s conduct is an attack on the fundamental right of a person to be represented by a lawyer.

This is a clarion call for members of the Bar and fellow Malaysians to unite and stand up together. Together we must send a strong message to the powers that be that we do not accept this kind of behaviour.

So to those who are reading this: “Who will stand by Surendran’s side?” I definitely will. If you would join me, list your name below.

The writer was supposed to be a reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Hang Jebat, Bruce Lee and Nocurnto Beasto (a black metal dude from Bergen, Norway) rolled into one. Due to the highly complicated “1Reincarnation process” (which was impossible anyway in the “1st” place because of discriminatory scientific-politico policies) and Lord Bobo’s intervention, he ended up as Amer Hamzah Arshad in the present life. And for the sins of others he has been condemned to practise law in Malaysia where nothing makes sense. Amer believes that Slayer’s “Reign in Blood” is still one of the best metal albums ever made.

The method of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society cheats of Mumbai was disarmingly simple. They simply co-opted in their scam whoever looked like standing in the way. If we judge the strategy by its results, it was spectacularly successful. It indeed disarmed everybody. From just 30-odd members, the eventual group grew to more than a hundred. Each new entrant not only removed a roadblock on the way but also increased the size of the cake. Thus, someone got the land title, someone the extra FSI. Someone got clearances, someone else made the Army and the Navy objections softer. They all became members.

The scary bit about the scam is not that it happened. It is that in the entire chain, there was not one man (or woman) who refused to compromise himself. There was not one person whose integrity stood its ground in face of temptation. Right from the lowly collector, to the officials in urban development department and MMRDA, to the ministers and chief minister, everybody proved over-eager to do his bit. About the bureaucrats and the ministers, we always knew. The really sickening part is that it went on all the way to at least three service chiefs. They all sold their souls. No whistle-blower in the entire system. Nobody thought something very gross was under way and he should put his foot down.

And for what? A sea-facing apartment in Mumbai, worth perhaps Rs 8 crore. So there, folks, you have the price of this country. For a combined booty of no more than Rs 800 crore, you could buy the entire system. Our enemies reading about this can now rest their weapons. The message they get is that if they face the mighty Indian Army they only need to wave the allotment letters of a plush apartment.

And lo! The battle is won. If the chiefs go for 1000 sq ft of Mumbai real estate, how much should the poor battlefield commander go for? A Shanghai penthouse, or a cottage in Murree?

I would hate to be a soldier in our armed forces at this moment. The fellow has just seen Lt Generals being prosecuted for land scam. Now, an admiral and two generals are part of a housing scam. He is expected to die on their orders. If, after this, a soldier winces at such an order, can he be faulted? The former chiefs have now graciously offered to return the flats, professing ignorance about the fact that land was meant for martyrs’ families. As if that is the only thing wrong about the deal. It was stinking from start to finish and if the chiefs could not smell any of it, the forces have a lot to answer for the kind of persons they select for their top most posts.

No, gentlemen, you have let down the proud institutions you headed. You have let down your colleagues who must suffer the suspicions you have aroused. You have let down your country that decorated you so much. Worst of all, you have let down that soldier who saluted you day in and day out. You owe him an apology, not just a glib explanation. About others, the less said the better. They occupy some of the most plum posts and yet possess all the integrity of a pickpocket. It is no wonder India has climbed further in corruption ladder. Merely dispossessing these scamsters of their ill-gotten apartment would be no punishment. They need to be dismissed from service and prosecuted for being unworthy custodians of our trust.