AAP and the story of corruption

The last month has seen one of the most amazing political stories playing out in Delhi. Watching Arvind Kejriwal’s swearing in was like some scene out a Hindi film – except that there was no playback singer....it was the actor singing himself (at least, now we know why playback is used). The film would, in all likelihood end with that scene – sachai ki jeet and all that but of course, in real life it’s all going to start now. The history of Congress supported governments suggests that this one won’t last too long either. If I were Arvind Kejriwal, I would look to get the Congress to withdraw support a couple of months before the general elections (simply go after Robert Vadra on the day the elections are announced) and then have elections along with the general elections. That would perhaps ensure a victory for the AAP in Delhi as well as buy them a few more seats at the Lok Sabha elections as well.

This of course, assumes that the people buy into the vision which AAP is selling. It is fairly narrow- get rid of corruption. Now, there are, of course issues with this - their policies on foreign affairs, defence, the economy are not so clear. I have not read their manifesto but over the next few months they need to articulate this better. Which they well might. But for the time being the anti corruption stance has been strong enough to win minds and hearts. But, do we Indians, especially the middle class, really really want to get rid of corruption. The fact is, the Indian middle class is as corrupt as it can get. In fact, the Indian mind set is very corrupt. If the AAP can stop a government official asking us for money to get a ration card – great! But what if it tries to stop us being corrupt – will we be so benevolent when we are so used to getting things done with flouting rules.

Indeed, it is amazing how much we disregard the rules on just about everything and there are a litany of examples which can be provided for this.

Let me look at one journey I made from Bombay to Pune a few months ago. I got into the taxi at Dadar and drove off. I was sitting in the front seat and belted up as we started. The driver on the other hand merely crossed the belt over his body without fixing it in. And at the first option, once we exited Bombay, just took it completely off. He even told me that there was no need to wear it now. I would assume that if he had been caught some money would have changed hands with the cop and there would then have been a diatribe about how corrupt cops are. But wearing a seat belt—that's a big no, no!!! As you get out of Bombay, there are a number of traffic signals one needs to wait at. At each of these, all drivers have started inching forward and crossed the stop lines way way before the lights have turned green. Why? I wish I knew. Let the police crack down on this and I bet someone would make a comment asking why is the police harassing innocent citizens when the big fry are being left alone.

Anyway, we were on the express way and we stopped somewhere at Lonavala at one of the halts. I bought a packet of Chiwda at one of the shops. The printed MRP – Rs 48. On proferring a Rs 100 note, I was returned a Rs 50 note. I waited a few seconds for the Rs 2 change- clearly it was not forthcoming, so I asked. The response was – “do rupye ham nahin dete”. Kyon nahin dete, bhai? “Aise hi hota hai, yahan, koi nahin dega aapko”. I refused to buy it and went around to another shop to buy it. Same story to a point – Rs 100 given...Rs 50 returned...wait..ask for Rs 2. This time, very slowly the man returned me the Rs 2. But why did I have to ask? Is not, effectively pocketing Rs 2 off a customer fairly corrupt.

Incidentally, there used to some things in India it’s quite difficult to pay MRP. It’s often difficult to pay MRP for a bottle of mineral water, almost impossible to buy a bottle of Coke at MRP – especially at smaller shops. And everyone seems to have just accepted this. Why?

After some time I reached Pune station and got into an auto. Taking an auto/taxi in India can be quite an experience depending on which city you are in. Many friends of mine from North India or Chennai used to be surprised that autos and taxis in Bombay (and mostly in Pune as well) go by the meter. I guess one could argue that it is true market forces – every trip gets negotiated for and the best price is achieved for both parties. Again, I feel that this is another form of corruption which gets indulged in. But since I know Pune, I can get by decently. So, I was soon on my way to home in the auto.

On the way to our place, we cross the Pune Sholapur road which has 2 lanes in the middle (one on either side) which are dedicated bus lanes. As we approached, our auto driver nonchalantly drove into one of those lanes. I asked him – “arre bhai kya kar rahe ho...”. “Sir, aap bambai se aaye ho...yahan to aise hi chalta hai” And yes, the reality is that while perhaps 80% of people did not get into the bus lanes; there is a good 20% (of all types of traffic) which does it. Even if the other lanes have moving traffic.

Finally, we reach our society. My parents live in a place which has about 200 independent houses on about 20 roads- a single road down the middle with veins on either side. All the houses are single storey because for the last 20 years the gram panchayat has not given permission to built the 2nd floor. Just a few months ago they finally did, subject to the elevation being the same. I could see that some construction has begun. I could also see a couple of houses which had gone rather overboard – in flagrant violation of the guidelines and perhaps even encroaching on their neighbours. I asked my father – “how come this chap has built it like this?” The reply – “Yeah, some of the society officials asked him. He said –‘go to court, if you want’. Who will now go?” Again, we are very happy to violate rules when it favours us.

All this in one 4 hour journey from Bombay to Pune. The list of course is endless. The mid sized businessman who does not pay income tax and does everything on “cash basis”...and then says that the government does not give enough services; the householder who happily gets his meter “fixed” to pay less and then complains about “mehengai”; the person who smokes on the road knowing full well it is illegal. This is not about corrupt government, this is about a society where corruption is acceptable...until it affects us.

The AAP’s stated position is that the root cause of all evil in our society is corrupt politics. That may be true but the rot has now set in and it may not be enough to just remove the root cause. But does it have the guts to go ahead and look beyond politics. Some things can be changed relatively easily. It’s not too difficult to stop, say traffic violations. I seem to remember that few years ago Bombay police greatly reduced the number of drunk driving cases during the New Year season by picking up one South Bombay lad about a week before and keeping him in lock up for a couple of days. And publicizing this big time. Similarly, many other things can be stopped with some targeted action. But how will we react when the target is not a “bhrasht neta” but an “aam aadmi.” If AAP can get a few big scalps first they might be able to get away it with it. They could however find that their honeymoon with the people also ends very fast. And finally, that might be the biggest tragedy - that we are not willing to look at the mirror and see its reality. There is hope currently...but I am not yet sanguine.