Way back in 2004, in my book - “Corruption, Problem and solution” (published by Rajkamal Publishers Delhi), I have drawn an analogy between India and a pumpkin which is good to look at from outside but is completely rotten from inside. I have mentioned in my book that corruption is a national phenomenon and is omnipresent and its squalid odour emanates from every community, every town, district, state and in fact, the entire nation.

Corruption comes in many forms viz. bribery, favoritism, patronage, graft. However these terms fail to satisfy the need for a comprehensive definition of corruption precisely because they are so narrow - they are just types of corruption. In order to fight corruption effectively we need to know not only its varied forms, but we also need to know what corruption is. My belief is that corruption is nothing but theft which results in a loss of public trust and confidence in institutions.

Corruption has progressively increased and is now rampant in our society. In an economic sense, corruption is a tax on societies that tolerate poor governance. The beneficiaries of this ‘tax’ are the corrupt, who are unjustified in receiving the proceeds. It is potentially the most harmful type of theft in that it breeds a lack of confidence in the utility of governance. This type of cynicism, once entrenched in the popular mindset, is tough and costly to dislodge as we are witnessing in the massive public support for crusaders against corruption like Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev.

Corruption has also increased in our society because of the change in the value system and ethical qualities of men who administer. The old ideals of morality, service and honesty are regarded as anachronistic. It is seen as a fast track to a better lifestyle and riches by the youth of the country in the absence of role models who are untouched by the spectre of corruption. The lackadaisical attitude of people towards corruption and the complete lack of intense public outcry against corruption besides the absence of strong public forums to oppose it allow corruption to reign over people.

A problem of Indian governance is that the Government does not run by the laws, rules and regulations of the system and the constitutional institutions but instead laws and legislation are arbitrarily twisted and distorted to suit the regime in power. It is also rather ironical that Governments since independence in India have been formed on the basis of promises of eradication of poverty but the only poverty they have been able to reduce is their own and the ruling party’s. The number of poor i.e. BPL has increased to 45 crore in spite of numerous poverty alleviation schemes of successive governments.

The political leadership of this country has repeatedly failed to perceive India as a single, united entity and has instead looked at it as separate parts though the jaundiced eyes of their respective parties.

Scams galore have plagued our country since independence and the normal reaction of the Governments has been to set loose the numerous investigative agencies like CBI, ED, IT, Customs, Fema, Sales Tax, NSA, SIT and Police at its disposal to investigate the alleged scams and to punish the guilty. However we have repeatedly seen, in the guise of these investigations, the agencies themselves resort to corrupt practices, in the process fattening their pockets and exonerating the accused. It doesn’t say much for the deterrent value of our legal system and the consequent punitive action.

Strangely, we hear all kinds of voices against corruption but the legal system is itself dictated by archaic laws which serve the same punishment for different degrees of crime. Laws should be governed by common sense and the spirit of public good not by moralistic bombasts - How can the punishment for a bribery of  `100 and `100Crore or lakh crore be the same? The same can be said when it comes to punishments for one slap, or murder of one by mistake, or murder or massacre. The judicial class themselves have been accused of many wrongdoings and indulging in corrupt practices from time to time.

Even more bizarre is the reaction of 99 per cent of our population when someone is fighting or crusading against the corrupt state. Instead of supporting or encouraging this noble fight, the crusader is hounded and castigated by the rest for daring to question the comfortable status quo and is labeled a trouble maker.

However times are changing as seen by the many successful public led coups resulting in the ouster of corrupt regimes in many countries over the past few months. The winds of change are blowing all over and it is high time that the seriousness of the issue should be understood and concrete steps taken to fight the monster of corruption. The days of lip service are over!

Author is the Chancellor

of CMJ University