POLITICS AND ETHICS

                                                            

The recent trends in various parts of the world and their governance have highlighted the interest in POLITICS and ETHICS! Is there any relationship between politics and ethics? On the face of it, it seems that there is a relationship. But actually there is not much of ethics in our politics! The king, in olden days was considered a representative of God ruling the society! He was expected to rule righteously and consider his subjects as his own children! The Ramayana glorifies the rule of the great hero Sri Rama. Sage Valmiki comments “ ramo vigrahavan dharmaha”—Rama is the embodiment of Dharma! There were seasonal rains in ‘ Ramarajya’ There were no accidents and premature deaths! People lived very happily and loved their king!  When Sri Rama was about to leave for heaven many people wanted to follow him! Most of the rulers in the previous yugas were followers of Dharma and cared for the welfare of their subjects and their needs!

           Kali Yuga has changed all these trends! First and foremost it has annulled the institution of kingship. There are only a few kings in the entire world! Many self styled leaders have taken control of nations and regions and exert their influence on them. There is a rat race for power and pelf all over the world! The so called political parties have raised their heads and contest elections. They say they are the servants of people and society but unfortunately they serve themselves! While the British have already looted India  in every way possible, our politicians are in no way inferior to them! They have been draining the country’s wealth and that of the taxpayer consistently! The rich have become richer and the poor poorer! There are no ethics involved in aggrandizing  themselves! Recent statistics say that the number of crore pathis in India has increased phenomenally!

            Politics is not a profession like Medicine and Engineering. But yet every man with money desires to be a politician! It has become a pucca business wherein, in the course of five years of tenure, one can become a crore pathi or a billionaire! That is the attraction for politics! Any rich man can contest and win by the power of his wealth! No educational qualification like degree or diploma is needed! Even criminals and those with charges against them are allowed to contest! About two thirds of our MPs in the parliament have criminal records against them! At this rate how can there be ethics and morality in governing the country?

             Our law makers are also law breakers! They do not allow the parliament to function and transact business! Quite a few parliament sessions are stalled and disrupted wantonly! MPs and MLAs vote an increase in their perks, allowances and salaries unanimously while blocking the passage of many important Bills! They are supposed to serve the nation and they are all millionaires!!! They are dead against the power to Recall because of their fear for being recalled for not functioning properly! Their attendance at the parliament sessions is irregular and quite a few sleep and even snore! The bane of Indian Democracy is corruption! It has become a hydra headed monster that has spread its tentacles to every field of activity in society! From the ordinary peon to the officer and the Minister, it has affected all. In short it has become omnipresent like God!!

              Claiming to usher in a classless society, the system has perpetuated the classes, creeds, sects and tribes. Reservations are given to catch votes during elections. No preference is given to merit and economic status for jobs and admission to colleges. Class based reservations are increasing and many more are clamoring for it as we saw recently from the Patels in Gujarat and the Jats who paralysed and pressurized the center into acceptance! Democracy has become a name sake—“ nam ke vasthe”.  Too many parties and too many ideologies are clashing with one another. Every party is self serving, promising much and doing little! The sufferers are the common people!

        Thus our India has become a veritable land of scams with Ministers and responsible parties involved in them. 2 G scam shocked the entire nation! The Minister says he is innocent! The court is yet to pass its decree. Closely following it came Coalgate scam! Many officers were involved in it. Governments change once in five years but the mentality of politicians does not change! This is a vicious circle and he who has money and muscle wins!

         Politics and ethics are like oil and water that do not mix! If ethics dominate much good can be done to society. On the other hand if politics dominate the canker of corruption will eat away the nation! The present state of India with its poverty and lack of development is mainly because of its politicians and lack of ethics! The recent escape of Lalith Modi and the latest of Vijay Mallya are dangerous reminders of unethical conduct and corruption that can never be tolerated! Politics without ethics is body without soul!