Holier than thou

• Corruption will not go away unless existing anti-corruption bodies are given adequate power

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SHYAM K.C.

NOV 01 -

Perhaps nothing would have pleased those who advocate strict adherence to rule of law and those who oppose corruption at all levels—especially among the political leaders who are supposed to guide the general public by their exemplary public and private behaviour and conduct—than the sight witnessed when a senior leader of a major political party was released last month after serving a prison sentence. He was found to have indulged in corruption and was sentenced to over a year in prison. 

The leader in question was Khum Bahadur Khadka of the Nepali Congress, and he is generally perceived to have resorted to corruption when he was a minister. The court verdict in his case was ample proof that the general perception was correct. But the fact is that he is not the only person guilty of corruption; there are hundreds of others who are perceived to be corrupt but against whom not a hint of action has been taken or will be taken. True, a few other erstwhile ministers were also found guilty of corruption by the court and sentenced to varying prison terms. But in reality, the number of cases against political leaders and senior government officials does not even make for the smallest tip of the iceberg of corruption.

Khadka’s case, not to speak of other lesser political figures jailed for corruption, is an indication of the deep rooted social norms that seem to forgive those who indulge in corruption. No wonder Nepalis, according to a news item published in this newspaper in July, consider Nepali political parties to be the most corrupt among other institutions that function in this country. It was the heights of insanity to witness the manner in which the NC leader was welcomed by his supporters who must have donated generously in order to give him such an outlandish welcome with garlands weighing over 100 kilograms. Perhaps it was a gesture to prove that he was innocent—despite the court verdict—of all charges of corruption and that such charges were effectively buried by the weight of the garlands. The paradoxical gesture of his supporters only goes on to support the general public perception—which may or may not be true—that most of Nepal’s political figures are neck deep in corruption. 

Is it any wonder, therefore, that the Transparency International, the watchdog that monitors corruption across the globe placed Nepal in the 139  th position out of 174 countries? At the rate in which corruption is spreading across the spectrum, not merely confined to political leaders but extending to bureaucrats and business persons, we may soon be overtaking countries like Afghanistan and Somalia which are said to be the most corrupt among the 174 countries. The manner in which political figures manage to build palatial houses for themselves is a clear indication that they must have other sources of income than meets the eye of the common man (or the eyes of the prevalent laws). Corruption in the lower echelons, particularly, among the bureaucrats might involve bribes but it does not simply means bribery to get things done; it also means deception of the people and bending of laws and rules to benefit those entrusted with the authority to serve people. The Transparency International says corruption “is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority”. To most of us, corruption also means indulgence in favouritism and nepotism (both of which are so rampant in this part of the world). Corruption to most of us also means the deserving not getting what they deserve simply because some people are closer to political leaders than the others. Corruption also means that bureaucrats and security personnel bend rules (and even laws) to gain favours from their political masters. How else does one explain the gross violations of the Election Code of Conduct by major political parties without any regret or explanation? Should they not be the ones who should have strictly adhered to the code and set an example for  other smaller parties?

Corruption is a virus that affects everyone. Though political leaders may not be aware of this, it also adversely affects them in the long run. This country has long been subjected to a rule of corruption—rather the rule of law which treats everyone as equals. The sad story is that those in power are more equal than others and are immune from the clutches of law. Though we might shout from our rooftops all the time, corruption will not just go away without providing a wider scope and adequate power to the existing anti-corruption bodies. All of this cannot be possible without a change of attitude in society and until people to learn to appreciate the fact that one does not gain respect merely by living in palatial buildings and driving posh cars. Until such a time comes, we might all say, ‘long live corruption’ and go and welcome all those released after undergoing prison terms on corruption charges.