SCAMS NOW

Lest I get sued by Times Now over the use of this “phonetically similar” – rhymes well! - title for my blog, I apologize at the beginning itself but use it nevertheless as nothing could describe 2010 better than “Scams Now”!

We are at the cusp: of an ending – of 2010 – and of a beginning – of 2011. The year nearing its end got defined by corruption and crusades: Corruption by politicians and Crusades by Media. If Indian politicians and bureaucrats hogged the limelight for indulging into corruption of unprecedented proportions then the Indian Media maintained its courageous posture of activism and exposes throughout, again, not seen before.

It all started with Times Now exposing the gory face behind that mocking smile of the molester DGP Rathore. India saw the power of relentless media activism and the criminal being booked thereafter, finally. Through movement against corruption mediated by the Media “investigative journalism” acquired a new dimension altogether. Arnab Goswami was dead direct in his questions - battling “jingoistic” tag all along from his detractors - which the unholy nexus of politicians-bureaucrats-police could not evade; judiciary had to act. (Though monster Rathore is yet to be given adequate punishment but with unrelenting media pressure the judges will find it extremely difficult to not punish him and will have to deliver justice to Ruchika.)

Before the dust could settle on Ruchika molestation case, there came the self-destructive tweet of Lalit Modi! IPLgate couldn’t have been opened for public if the Indian Media had not taken it up squarely. The dazzling world of IPL came crashing down and what emerged was deep rooted corruption in its formation and functioning. The government was forced to sack Shashi Tharoor who got embroiled because of his “close friend’s” – now wife - sweat equity in the newly formed Kochi franchise. But IPL’s major architect – Lalit Modi – also had to relinquish his power and position because of Media’s constant vigil and the BCCI thus getting serious about cleansing its systems. (The saga is yet to come to a conclusion, thanks to the former IPL czar’s absence from the investigative scene due to a dubious death threat excuse.)

In between, India also saw Media – though much belatedly – taking up the case of long forgotten Bhopal Gas Tragedy post courts verdict. Once again because of Media’s pressure – giving full support to the Opposition’s campaign - the Indian government was forced to revisit its “non-binding” clause in the civil nuclear energy treaty with the US. (The gas victims are still awaiting sufficient compensation.)

Hardly any time had lapsed after IPLgate controversy that India got yet another shocker by exposes of dubious dealings being indulged into by the Commonwealth Boss Suresh Kalmadi and his coteries, again thanks to Times Now. And with each passing day the scam got murkier. The extent of corruption was so extreme that the CWG became a Shame-Game for India. Lalit Bhanot’s ‘hygiene standards’ comment was the final blow to India’s prestige on the world stage. Somehow the Games could be hosted properly but what is appalling is that in spite of intense media interest, the Indian establishment has been very reluctant to act against Suresh Kalmadi. (The recent CBI raids are just eyewash. And I doubt if India will get back its billions of dollars gobbled up by the CWG Chief & Co.)

Soon the scene of corruption shifted to Bombay where the Adarsh Society scam - “Kargil-for-profit” scam – erupted and shook the entire nation with blatant abuse of political power to illegally allocate flats to ‘near-and-dear’ ones of the privileged & powerful which were otherwise meant for Kargil war widows. Army’s top echelons’ embarrassing involvement in the scam succeeded in tarnishing the so-far not-so-ugly image of the Indian Defense Services. If Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan had to quit, it was only due to Media’s enduring follow-up of the scam. (India is yet to see any real action being taken against the tainted army generals.)

India was yet to get over the previous big scandals that Media broke the story of the biggest scam ever of 2G spectrum allocation by bringing the CAG report in public domain. The sheer scale of scam involving Rs. 1.76 lakh crore sum was staggering by any standards! Corporate-politicians cozy equation kept oiled by unethical lobbying (the government’s logic on ‘legitimate/illegitimate lobbying’ is akin to ‘good/bad Taliban’!) - which unfortunately also brought into light the involvement of a couple of respected journalists causing a major setback to Media’s credibility and legitimacy of Media activism - could remain the “lead story” again due to Media’s persistence with the emerging story. (Again, CBI raids and A. Raja’s questionings are only a deflective strategy by the GOI to weather the current storm.)

Of all the cases of corruption uncovered in 2010, not a single case can be called as “closed” – as yet. But India wants timely verdicts and timely actions. Going by the past records the possibility of any such happening is remote. Because what is visible to public is only the ‘tip’; corruption tentacles run deep and wide, reaching the ‘top’ almost always. Nevertheless, I am sure that Indian Media will continue its campaigns against corruption till culprits are nailed.

Therefore, what India witnessed in 2010 was that before a case could be uncovered fully and taken to its logical conclusion there came another bigger and deeper scam. And knowing India’s ways of working, 2011 will again be a year of scams and scamsters. And knowing Indian Media, now, 2011 will again be a year of courageous coverage. Because, as is said: News never stops.

Year end thought: To tackle a ‘competitive’ scenario of scams related “breaking news”, my “free” advice to the Indian Media – with right-of-first-refusal to Times Now – is that they could “break” all such scam stories on a show titled “Scams Now”! … India, how do you like my idea? I hear you say: What an Idea, Anju-ji! … Thanks, India J

Another point to ponder: With the GOI so much obsessed with “Scam Management” as a survival strategy, how about instituting a special ministry dedicated to this noble purpose? And, the IIMs being asked to incorporate the subject in the curriculum?

In 2010, the one name which came into the forefront of forceful & impactful – and courageous - journalism was of Arnab Goswami of Times Now who emerged as a genuine Crusader and almost single handedly brought the “revolutionary” environment into news reporting in India. (Most Impactful Person of the Year 2010 should have fairly gone to him; GQ Men award was more to acknowledge the “glamour” factor associated with high adrenaline television news industry. Though he truly deserves a “Padma” award for his work in 2010 especially but honestly I wonder, now, if the GOI will really “recognize” his work after what it had to face repeatedly due to relentless reportage of his!) … Carry on your fantastic work, Arnab! You changed the News in 2010; now, change India in 2011. … India is with you and so is God.

…

Happy 2011 J

Ruchika, smile :)

Ruchika, finally you can rest in peace … Today – May 25, 2010 – finally, “the tomorrow” came! And that master molester SPS Rathore went to jail, his trademark dirty smirk gone forever. … And, the nation saw your friend Aradhana smile for the first time … Great!

Ruchika, you could get this victory because of the strongest determination of your family & friends and, of course, Indian Media – Times Now in particular! I know you must be blessing Arnab Goswami for taking up your case and campaigning relentlessly for justice! … India is indeed fortunate to have Arnab Goswami. May God Bless him and be with him in all his crusades! The country is with him, undoubtedly!

But Ruchika, today’s verdict is just the beginning. Criminal Rathore will be punished adequately for all his crimes perpetrated on you and your family & friends. The courts just cannot ignore the nation’s sentiments anymore. Both Truth & Justice will prevail.

Smile, Ruchika :)

Ruchika, tomorrow you will get justice --- 20 years later!

Ruchika, do not worry. If today - 20.05.10 - "the tomorrow" did not come, it will for sure come on 25.05.10. ...

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Yeah, today I am preempting judgement. Tomorrow, Ruchika Gihrotra will get justice.

Though this can be said only in a manner of speaking. Actually, no amount of punishment to the master molester SPS Rathore will actually be appropriate to the heinousness of the crime he perpetrated on a 14year old girl. The physical, mental, emotional, social and financial traumas she and her family had to endure, all ensured by the then all-mighty police high official can never be compensated by even gallows for Rathore. Ruchika had to finally kill herself failing to bear the “consequences” of her complaint against SPS Rathore anymore. We all know the tragic story …

Nevertheless, when tomorrow comes, the courts will not be able to afford NOT to grant justice to the departed soul of Ruchika – much belatedly though – and will pronounce appropriate sentencing on Rathore.

Tomorrow, the “Media Activism” initiated by Times Now will bear fruit and Ruchika will get justice. And I heartily Congratulate Arnab Goswami for continuing with his role as a responsible news broadcaster!

Tomorrow, a celebrated legal eagle called Ram Jethmalani will try to find a place to hide, tough only briefly till he gets a fresh new case in consonance with his true nature of practice: as a favoured habitual defender of the high profile offenders! Because, tomorrow, the Indian Criminal Justice System – the Courts – will no longer pay any heed to India’s Devils’ Advocate No.1 Ram Jethmalani’s – who else? – broken record like questioning, “Where is the evidence?”

Tomorrow, I will feel a bit relieved like the millions all across the country including Ruchika’s parents and friends (Aradhana & her family) and well-wishers and pray that no girl in India ever has to go through trauma that Ruchika had to undergo along with her parents’ & friends’ ordeal which did not end even with her end.

Tomorrow, I as an Indian will also feel a sense of pride for our Media – Times Now in particular – and pray that if ever any girl is assaulted anywhere in India, there is always an active Media around to take up her case as well.

Tomorrow, I will also make an appeal to the Indian Parliament and its protectors – Indian Government – to make fresh amendments in the Indian Constitution and make carrying a handycam mandatory for every female in the country so that she could record all kinds of assaults like molestation, rape, etc. perpetrated on her which could come handy as sufficient evidence in the courts of law against the offenders, especially in cases where Ram Jethmalani is the defending lawyer! … Arnab, may be you could help me in this case!

Tomorrow, once again, I will pray for SPS Rathore’s children: that in their next life, they get a non-molesting type father.

Yes, I will also pray to God that in his next birth, please make Ram Jethmalani a girl and make her (him) face SPS Rathore. May be his – her, I mean – handycam will come handy …

Media Trial: a must, now?

Yes, perhaps. With a crumbling and crippled system all around, the Indian media, television in particular, will have to shoulder this responsibility. Cynics and puritans may list the hazards of making the media even more powerful by putting the judicial rein in their hands but the fact is that if the media had not intervened directly with sustained efforts, Jessica Lal, Nitish Katara and a few others would never have got justice. Though the justice was delayed customarily in both these cases but at least it was not denied. Ruchika’s case is also progressing in the same direction. Haven’t we already seen the various wings of the Indian establishment swiftly swing into action since Media’s campaign?!

The much protracted judgment in Ruchika’s case represents everything that is ailing and rotten in the Indian system: a super corrupt cop - morally and otherwise, an equally corrupt administration, and a handicapped court. All three pillars of our country’s democracy damaged beyond repairs; all three pillars in collusion to protect the criminal. And left is the memory of a young molested girl and her tormented family and friends, fighting the establishment - all out to destroy them for their “audacity” to go against it!

19 long years it took the judiciary to come out with its verdict: a mere 6 months imprisonment for a senior police officer who molested a young girl and later went all out exercising his political and police powers in harassing her family and friends, so much so that her brother was framed with six false charges and tortured to an extent that he became a mental wreck; she was thrown out of her school on flimsy ground; even the tennis academy buckled under pressure and banned her entry; her family had to sell off their home and flee; not to forget that in not being able to take it any further, the girl committed suicide. And, the nation saw – after 19 long years - a smiling SPS Rathore walk out of the courtroom.

What shocked me the most, like the entire nation, was this crooked cop’s mocking smile! How I wanted to smack his face hard enough to wipe away that demonic grin, forever! His nauseating grin also made me feel really sorry for his children: how unfortunate they are to have such a father!

I am sure that with Media’s active intervention, Ruchika will get justice, finally. I salute her for her extraordinary bravery in standing up to an immensely corrupt and hostile system; I salute her family and friends for their exceptional courage under extreme adversity. Now, India is with them, though belatedly – all thanks to Media, again!

But we should not stop here. Media, along with public, has to sustain their campaign and force the Indian government to bring about much awaited reforms in its systems, judiciary included. Otherwise, we will continue to pretend to be waking every time a Jessica or a Ruchika gets thrown in our face. Otherwise, the smiles of many more Rathores will keep haunting us!

May 2010 be a watershed year for India and we see our country become safe and secure for all :) ... Happy 2010!