I’ve had enough of Law all these years. Lets discuss Ethics!

Date: 14th August.
I have been listening a lot, reading a lot and now have ended up discussing a lot about the Janhit Lokpal Bill introduced in the Parliament owing to the efforts of Shri Anna Hazare. Personally, i respect the old man and his Gandhian principles. However, i don’t wish to talk much about his integrity because politics in this country might encourage me to be patriotic but it can never arouse faith.
On the eve of Independence day, India has always been inundated with debates all across the country about how it achieved independence, the sacrifices involved, the wars they’ve fought, the terrorist attacks and how Indians have fought it all together. And they ‘appear’ patriotic like-never-before this day, with television screening patriotic songs throughout the day. Well, the story is slightly different this time.
They say that the superficial patriotism has gone skin deep as Indians try to fight another battle- battle against corruption. Am not discussing the spectrum scams, am not discussing the mining scam, am not discussing the Adarsh scam, am discussing the ‘New Patriotic Indian’.
Patriotism forms part of the ethical structure of the society. It is definitely part of our value system. Respecting the national flag, the national anthem, cheering for Indians in the international scenario and saluting the Indian army. We all do that. So do we intend to say that suddenly these Indians have become more ethical with the coming of Generation Y ?
I am afraid the answer is no. The hue and cry over the Lokpal Bill deals with various legal issues. They say it challenges the constitutional framework- the grundnorm. The others try to convince that the Lokpal would be the common man’s watchdog in the system dodging out corruption. And the Indians see themselves entagled into the viscious circle of fighting for the means, yet again, while the end awaits to be grasped.
Corruption- is it really a legal issue? No, its not. What are we doing when we boast about our negotiating skills to our friends telling them how we got our work done at a public office for a few hundreds or thousands as if it was small change. The other day, my mother told me that she had to pay the house tax assessment officer some extra money though her tax assessment was correct so that he doesen’t object unnecessarily. Take another instance, when the traffic policeman catches us without helmet, aren’t we confident that we’ll get away paying him money.
Mothers these days are busy in offices or clubs. Gone are the days when tiny tots were taught “Its not yours. Give it back”. The basic values are diminishing with the coming of age. Its the conscience that guides us and Indians have chosen to let their conscience sleep. Am sorry but there is no ‘New Patriotic Indian’ in the picture. How i wish that the so called Lokpal happens to have enormous powers- powers not just enough to catch the corrupt officials by their collar but powers to awaken these sleeping Indians. Patriotism, my friends, has still not gone skin deep.
A system of accountability and transparency, responsibility and freedom- Make it happen Indians. High time! It must be understood that any bill or any law is not the solution, if at all we’re looking for one!