On politics, corruption and courts
The issue of corruption is emerging as a major issue both in India and Pakistan. Corruption charges against politicians in India are not new. They were leveled against Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao also. The matter however turned into a volatile issue when reports about corruption in the Commonwealth Games to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore appeared in the media in July 2010. Months later the 2G spectrum scam involving a loss Rs 176,379 crore to the national exchequer hit the media. A number of crusaders, Anna Hazare being the topmost, took up the issue demanding the creation of the office of Lokpal with the authority to probe the prime minister and the judiciary. As the bill being presented before the Lok Sabha is seen to be much weaker, Hazare declared to observe a fast. When the government detained him on Tuesday, protests erupted all over India forcing the government to order his release.
Two major scams in Pakistan have brought the government and the SC into confrontation. The Hajj scam which erupted at the end of the last year led to the sacking of two federal ministers with one subsequently landing in jail. There were media reports of important government figures being involved in the case. The NICL scam involved the son of an influential government ally. In both cases, the government was seen to be delaying the investigation by transferring the FIA officers who pursued the scams efficiently. This led to a confrontation between the government and the apex court which continues unabated.
Strictly speaking, transfers and appointments of government servants come under the purview of the executive and the courts need to eschew interfering in the matter. There is, however, a valid point in the argument that as the government is trying to shield certain politicians from accountability, the SC’s intervention is justified. The scandals are hitting the government’s reputation. A number of opposition leaders, with Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan in the forefront, have accused the government of shielding its leaders and allies. The government has to realise that the way officers are being transferred to delay the probes is hitting its reputation. There is a need to learn from what is happening on the other side of the border to avoid widespread unrest.
