Author: Anjali Sanyal, Techno India University, Kolkata, West Bengal
ABSTRACT
Corruption in Indian politics has been a pervasive issue that undermines the democratic foundations and economic development of the country. Despite being the world’s largest democracy, India faces significant challenges in curbing corrupt practices that span across various levels of governance, from local to national. The roots of corruption in Indian politics can be traced to historical, social, and economic factors, including the legacy of colonial rule, the caste system, poverty, and a lack of political accountability.
The Impact of corruption on Indian society is profound, leading to a loss of public trust in political institutions, weakening the rule of law, and exacerbating social inequalities. It also hampers foreign investment and economic growth, as it creates an unpredictable business environment.
INTRODUCTION
Corruption in politics refers to the misuse of public power, authority, or resources by government officials or politicians for personal gain, often at the expense of the public good. This can manifest in various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, vote-buying, and the manipulation of policies or regulations to benefit private interests.
Corruption undermines the integrity of political systems, erodes public trust in government institutions, and hampers economic and social development. It can lead to unequal distribution of resources, weaken democratic processes, and perpetuate social inequalities. Combatting political corruption is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the fair functioning of a society.
Political corruption manifests in various forms, such as bribery, electoral fraud, patronage, nepotism, and misuse of public resources. The nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, and business interests has led to widespread embezzlement of public funds, impacting public services and development projects. High-profile corruption scandals, such as the 2G spectrum case and the Commonwealth Games scam, have highlighted the deep entrenchment of corruption in the political system.
WHAT IS CORRUPTION IN POLITICS
Corruption in politics refers to the abuse of power by government officials or politicians for personal gain, often at the expense of public welfare. It can manifest in various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, favoritism, nepotism, or the manipulation of policies and regulations to benefit private interests. Political corruption undermines democracy, erodes trust in institutions, and hinders economic and social development. Examples include taking bribes to award contracts, misusing public funds, or passing laws that favor certain businesses in exchange for financial support. In Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, India was placed 86th out of 179 countries in 2020.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION IN POLITICS
Some of the key effects include:
Erosion of Trust in Government: When corruption is widespread, citizens lose faith in political leaders and institutions, leading to political apathy, cynicism, and disengagement from civic activities.
Undermining Democracy: Corruption distorts the democratic process, allowing money and influence to overshadow the will of the people. It can result in unfair elections, unequal representation, and the entrenchment of corrupt elites.
Economic Impact: Corruption diverts public resources away from essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, leading to inefficient use of funds. It also creates an unpredictable business environment, discouraging investment and stifling economic growth.
Increased Inequality: Corruption often benefits the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and marginalized. It exacerbates social inequality by denying equal access to resources, opportunities, and justice.
Weakening of Institutions: Corruption corrodes the integrity of public institutions, including the judiciary, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies. This weakens the rule of law, making it difficult to enforce laws and regulations fairly.
Stunted Development: In countries where corruption is rampant, development projects may be delayed or poorly executed, hindering overall national progress. Funds intended for public goods are often siphoned off, leaving critical sectors underfunded.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSE OF CORRUPTION IN POLITICS
Some of the primary causes include:
Weak Legal and Institutional Frameworks: When laws, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms are weak or ineffective, it creates an environment where corruption can thrive. If the judiciary is compromised or law enforcement is corrupt, there is little fear of punishment for corrupt acts.
Lack of Accountability and Transparency: When political processes and government operations are not transparent, it becomes easier for officials to engage in corrupt practices without detection. A lack of accountability means that corrupt actions often go unpunished, encouraging further misconduct.
Concentration of Power: When power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups, it can lead to abuse of that power. Without checks and balances, those in power may engage in corruption with little opposition.
Weak Civil Society and Media: A weak civil society and a lack of free, independent media make it difficult to expose and challenge corruption. When journalists, activists, and watchdog organizations are silenced or marginalized, corrupt practices are less likely to be uncovered.
Economic Inequality: High levels of economic inequality can fuel corruption, as those with wealth and resources seek to influence political decisions in their favor. Conversely, those with fewer resources may resort to corruption as a means of survival or advancement.
WHAT ARE THE WAYS OF CURBING CORRUPTION IN POLITICS
Here are some effective ways :
Anti-Corruption Law :Implement and enforce stringent anti-corruption laws to hold politicians accountable.
Open Government Initiatives: Encourage open data policies and public access to government information.
Judiciary Independence: Ensure the judiciary is independent and free from political influence to fairly adjudicate corruption cases.
Free Press: Support a free and independent press that can investigate and report on corruption without fear of retribution.
Strong Civil Society: Empower civil society organizations to monitor and report on government activities.
CASE LAW
Vineet Narain & Others v. Union of India (1996)
The Supreme Court laid down guidelines for the autonomy of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), ensuring they are free from political interference. This case also emphasized the need for timely and thorough investigations into corruption allegations.
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
The Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), which includes the right to a fair trial. This has implications for ensuring that political corruption cases are handled justly.
Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Fodder Scam (2013)
The conviction of Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with several other politicians and officials, was a landmark in Indian political history. It demonstrated that the judiciary could take strong action against high-profile politicians involved in corruption.
Jayalalithaa Disproportionate Assets Case (2017)
The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Jayalalithaa’s close aide, V.K. Sasikala, in the case. Although Jayalalithaa had passed away by then, the verdict was significant in sending a strong message about the consequences of corruption among top political figures.
2G Spectrum Case (2017)
This high-profile case involved the alleged underpricing of 2G telecom licenses, leading to a massive loss to the public exchequer.
Though the special CBI court acquitted all accused in 2017, the case was a landmark in terms of highlighting corruption in the allocation of public resources. It also prompted a debate on the efficiency of legal proceedings in handling complex corruption cases.
CONCLUSION
While India has made strides in combating political corruption, much work remains. A multi-pronged approach involving legal, institutional, and societal reforms is essential to create a political environment where integrity is the norm, not the exception. Only through sustained efforts can India hope to minimize corruption and strengthen its democracy.
Tackling political corruption requires comprehensive reforms, including strengthening anti-corruption laws, enhancing transparency and accountability, and ensuring the independence of investigative agencies. Electoral reforms, particularly in campaign finance, are critical to reducing the influence of money in politics.
The judiciary has played a crucial role in addressing corruption, as seen in various landmark cases. However, the slow pace of legal proceedings and challenges in securing convictions highlight the need for judicial reforms and more effective enforcement mechanisms.
FAQS
Why is political corruption a problem?
Answer: Political corruption undermines democracy, erodes trust in government, leads to poor governance, distorts markets, and diverts public resources from essential services to private gain. It can also perpetuate poverty and inequality.
What are the legal measures to combat political corruption in India?
Answer: Legal measures include:
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Penalizes public officials for bribery, embezzlement, and other corrupt practices.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: Establishes an anti-corruption ombudsman to investigate corruption cases against public officials.
Right to Information Act, 2005: Empowers citizens to access government information, promoting transparency and accountability.
Election Commission of India (ECI): Regulates electoral processes, including campaign finance and voter conduct.
What role do anti-corruption agencies play in India?
Answer: Anti-corruption agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Lokpal investigate and prosecute cases of political corruption. They work to uncover corrupt practices and hold perpetrators accountable, although their effectiveness can be hampered by political interference.
Is corruption in politics decreasing in India?
Answer: While there have been efforts to curb political corruption, it remains a significant issue in India. Public awareness and judicial interventions have increased, but persistent challenges like systemic corruption, lack of political will, and loopholes in enforcement continue to impede substantial progress.
REFERENCE
https://blog.ipleaders.in/analytical-study-political-corruption-india-last-10-years/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/political-corruption
