The fate of the 43 – year - old, much - discussed, much - debated and much - rubbished Lokpal Bill saw its fate sealed for now when the Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die at the stroke of midnight in keeping with the spirit and letter of our Constitution.

The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha three days ago and to become Law, the Rajya Sabha has to pass it. It did not happen. Small wonder if it could be passed in the Lok Sabha why it could not in Rajya Sabha! As the count - down started for the vote before midnight, filibustering started. The intention of the government as also the Opposition, including BJP, was clear. The Bill should not be passed. BJP thought it could get political mileage and even demand the resignation of UPA - II on the logic that if a government Bill fails, the government too fails, so it should quit and seek fresh mandate.

As for Congress, after listening to Ram Jethmalani's speech it would be just what Lalu Prasad Yadav of RJD feared — “signing our own arrest warrant!” Jethmalani spoke of a Swiss magazine which had published the names and pictures of 14 people who have their money stashed and hidden away in Swiss Bank. The most acerbic and barbed words that rolled out of our veteran criminal lawyer and a brilliant Parliamentarian Jethmalani's lips were: "It is a shame that the 14th person was India's then Prime Minister." He did not name Rajiv Gandhi though. At least Jethmalani had the grit, guts and the gumption to say so openly in the Parliament and stood his ground with a smirk on his face even as hell broke loose from Congress benches.

Caption Courtesy: Shreyas Navare in Hindusthan Times

Consider this study in contrast of BJP politicians. A booklet published by the BJP in 2010 had made the same allegation including Sonia Gandhi's name also. However, inexplicably, BJP leader L. K. Advani later wrote to Sonia Gandhi regretting the mention of their names in the booklet. What are we to make of this? Did BJP publish lies in that booklet? Was Advani & Co. afraid of being exposed by Sonia?

There was a demand from the opposition to extend time beyond midnight if voting was not possible in the prevailing pandemonium where one RJD member even tore the copy of the Bill and rushed to the well of the House. That was not possible for the reason that our Constitution does not permit transaction of any business in the House after midnight. Alleluia!

It was a well - orchestrated performance by the government, by the BJP and by all other minor parties whose numbers is legion. Thieves and robbers, the common type, do their dark deeds in the darkness of the night. Probably what our MPs did last midnight was something similar and sinister — stealing poor Indian's safety shield meant to protect himself from rampant corruption.

For now the government's Lokpal Bill is not defeated — not killed but is kept, by the chicanery of our politicians, in a state of suspended animation. The UPA-II, which still has three years in office, may revive it, either in its present form or after considering the 173 (!) amendments that were wantonly moved yesterday to devour the time before midnight. Or if Congress loses the election in the major States out of five that are at present in an election mode. Anna Hazare and India against Corruption have already declared that they would canvass against Congress in these elections, no matter who will benefit from it.

Let us wait and watch. It is our pious hope that the Indian voter is capable of identifying a sinner from a saint. But then, in these days of so many charlatans both among sinners and saints, it would be rather difficult for the voter to identify the honest politician.

Look at the way extraneous issues were brought in to confuse and weaken the Lokpal Bill further. In what way the issues of "federalism" and "reservation" are germane to the drafting and passing of a Bill that is basically intended to deal with the evil of corruption in our political system and bureaucracy? India, that is Bharat, is certainly a Federal State with the characteristics of a Central State. Constitution provides for Central subjects, State subjects and Concurrent subjects. Apparently, the subject that is dealt with in Lokpal Bill is also a State subject which is why we have, in many States including our own Karnataka, what is called Lokayukta. So how does the problem of "Federalism" and danger to it arise? Likewise the question of "reservation" in appointing the Lokayukta and its members and other related officers. How is it possible when the selection is of a person of impeccable integrity and honesty, no matter to what religion, caste or tribe he belongs. Of course, "impeccable integrity" being the same, selection will always be made keeping in mind the proper representation to the minorities, Dalits and SC, ST etc. That is natural justice in a pluralistic society like ours. Certainly this kind of “selection guidelines” may be made. But to incorporate such a demand in the Bill itself is unthinkable and will make the Bill counter - productive and even weak.

I am reminded of an anecdote attributed to Samuel Johnson, English writer known for his “A Dictionary of the English Language”. He is also known for his quick-silver wit. Once he was invited to a function where a lady was to speak. The lady, who had the problem of a slight stammer, began her address saying, "Mr. President" three times in a halting, stammering way to get the words right. Johnson got up and said in a lighter vein, "My dear lady, you had conceived thrice but could not deliver even once."

In the case of Lokpal Bill, it was first conceived in 1969, passed in the LS but, like in the present case, could not get through in RS. Subsequently Lokpal Bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008 but were never passed. And most of the MPs who are now tackling the Bill were there in the House when the Bill was introduced in the Parliament in the past. They did not want it then. They do not want it now. So be it. We, 120 crore Indians, except our MPs, who want the Bill are once again taken for a ride. Like the lady mentioned above, our MPs conceived this Bill 11 times and yet could not deliver it!

I think it is best for every Indian to seek God's help with prayers. For example, if he applies for a ration card, he should offer this prayer: Oh, God Almighty, you are supreme. You are more powerful than this government official. I am a poor man and am now applying for a ration card. Please bestow the quality of kindness to that government official so that I get my ration card without bribing him.

If your God is really more powerful and not corrupt, He will grant your prayers. Otherwise, you will have no help coming from any quarter —neither from your God nor from your elected representative. And yet you have to live in this land. How? Here is my ultimate mantra for you: Self-help is the best help. Either depend upon your good luck, the power of your tongue — plead like a beggar, flatter, threaten or bribe the government official. You are bound to succeed.

By K. B. Ganapathy
Editor in Chief
e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com
Courtesy: Star of Mysore