As Republic Day approaches, we reproduce article “Gandhi And Clean Public Life’ by INFA Late Editor Inder fit, released 40 years ago, 22 January 1985. Republic Day will be a good day to think and make a new beginning. Importantly, it’s a fit occasion for heart- searching and stock-taking on present state of corruption in the country and the present lifestyle and five-star culture of the politicians, especially those of the ruling class and how Mahatma Gandhi would have reacted. In fact he virtually outlined a code of conduct for ministers in his writings in the Harijan from 1938 to 1948, which the article deals with and thus needs a good read. – Editor
Inder Jit
Republic Day will be celebrated once again in another few days amidst pomp and splendour. Indira Gandhi who dominated the national scene for almost two decades will be greatly missed. Nevertheless, the day will have its own significance and thrust. It will represent the country’s new hopes and aspirations as reflected in the recent elections to the Lok Sabha. The emergence of Mr Rajiv Gandhi as the Prime Minister provides what Time magazine has eloquently described on its cover page as “A new face for India.” The Prime Minister has succinctly described the mandate given to him as one “for change, for clean up, for efficiency.” Happily, the President, Giani Zail Singh, in his address to the two Houses of Parliament has indicated broadly the Government’s thinking in regard to “future tasks” and its commitment to “a clean public life.” Appropriately the Government has announced its intention to cry a halt to political harlotry by banning defections.
Time and again, Mr Rajiv Gandhi has pledged himself to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, who will appropriately be remembered again on Saturday — Republic Day. Almost all leaders will swear by him. Many in New Delhi will visit Rajghat and pay floral tribute to Bapu. But there are some vital questions which all those concerned with public affairs would do well to ask themselves on January 26 — a fit occasion for heart-searching and stock-taking. How would Bapu have reacted to the present state of corruption in the country and, importantly, the present life-style and five-star culture of the politicians, especially those of the ruling class. Over the years, many have scoffed at Gandhi’s advocacy of the view that ministers in free India should live simply and draw a monthly salary of Rs 500 pm. But more and more thinking people today are beginning to appreciate the philosophy underlying his view. India would not be in the big mess in which it finds itself today if only we had gone by the Mahatma’s suggestion and not allowed our ministers to become modern-day Maharajas.
Even a cursory glance at what the Mahatma wrote over the years yields rich fare. Of particular interest and relevance today are his views on the approach to the formation of ministries and the manner in which ministers should conduct themselves. In the Harijan of August 7, 1937, Gandhi wrote: “It would be decidedly wrong to create ministership for the sake of conciliating interests. If I were a Prime Minister and I were pestered with such claims, I should tell my electors to choose another leader. These offices have to be held lightly, not tightly. They are or should be crowns of thorns, not renown… It would be tragic if self-seekers and misguided zealots were allowed to impede the progress by imposing themselves on Prime Ministers. If it was necessary to have assurance from those who have ultimately to clothe ministers with authority, it is doubly necessary to have assurances of understanding, of loyalty beyond suspicion and of willing obedience to discipline.”
Gandhi was clear about the “acid test” for the appointment of ministers, an issue over which there has been considerable controversy over the years. “The choice”, said he, “must commend itself to the members of the party to whom the Prime Ministers owe their nomination. No Prime Minister can for one moment impose a man or a woman of his choice on the country. He is chief because he enjoys the full confidence of his party as to ability, knowledge of persons and other qualities that mark out one for leadership”. He wanted the ministers and the legislators, for their part, to be “fearless” in the performance of their duty. “They must always be ready to risk the loss of their seats or offices”, he wrote in the Harijan on April 4, 1936. “Offices and seats in the legislatures have no merit outside their ability to raise the prestige and power of the Congress. And, since both depend upon the possession of morals, both public and private, any moral lapse means a blow to the Congress. This is the necessary implication of non-violence.”
The Mahatma virtually outlined a code of conduct for the ministers in his writings in the Harijan from 1938 to 1948. He wanted the ministers to be watchful both of their personal and public conduct and said that “they have to be, like Ceaser’s wife, above suspicion in everything.” Offices must be held in the Government “in the spirit of service without the slightest expectation of private gain – for themselves or for their relatives or friends.” There is a beauty and an art in simplicity, he said. “It does not require money to be neat, clean and dignified. Pomp and pageantry are often synonymous with vulgarity.” As a practical man, Gandhi did not rule out appointments in the Government of those who were close to the ministers or were related to him. Said he: “If the relatives or friends get any appointment, it must be only because they are the best among the candidates, and their market value is always greater than what they get under the Government.”
Briefly, Gandhi also made the following suggestions: 1) Ministers should not live as “sahib log” nor use for private work facilities provided by the Government for official duties. 2) Ministers should not be sensitive (to public criticism). They should take in good part even carping criticism. “The critics expect much more from these chosen servants of the people than from others in the way of simplicity, courage, honesty and industry.” 3) Ministers are of the people, from the people. Let them not arrogate to themselves greater knowledge than those experienced man who do not happen to occupy ministerial chairs. 4) People often think nothing of not keeping their word. They should never promise what they cannot do. Once a promise is made, it must be kept at all cost. 5) The ministers are the people’s servants. They can do nothing against the express wishes of the people. “They will not stay in office a day longer than the people wish.”
Tragically, the Mahatma was snatched away before he could get free India’s new rulers to accept and practise his ideas. Sardar Patel, according to JP, kept a watchful eye on the Congress organisation, Congress ministers and also on ministers’ conduct during his tenure and “cleaned up with an iron hand whatever corruption he found.” Nehru held to the tradition for years. But because he did not have the same hold over the Congress organisation as did Sardar he “turned a blind eye to the proliferating opportunism, immorality and corruption.” Not that he liked them, JP clarified. But he often condoned “unethical conduct on the plea that if one was a capable worker or an able administrator his other faults should be overlooked.” Lal Bahadur, during his spell of prime ministership, strove to remove those who were known to be corrupt. But India lost him within a short period – before he could curb rampant defections, power of money and rabid casteism, which have become the bane of our national life.
JP’s triumph in 1977 and the solemn pledge taken by the Janata leaders at Rajghat roused expectations. Distressingly, however, these were belied. Little was done to cleanse public life and help establish healthy democratic norms. In fact, before long, Janata leaders succumbed to temptation. Matters greatly worsened following Indira Gandhi’s return to power. Protests against mounting corruption yielded little result. Indeed, corruption came to be described as a “world phenomenon”. Mr Rajiv Gandhi has roused fresh hopes. But the people are no longer willing to go by what the leaders say. India has never been short of promises and platitudes. Our people now judge leaders only by what they do. The answer lies not only in remembering the Mahatma ritually. A new style and outlook has to be initiated at the top. As the Gita says: “Whatsoever a great man doeth, that other men also do. The standard he seteth up, by that the people go.” Republic Day will be a good day to think and make a new beginning. (INFA)
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