06-15-2004, 02:38 PM
As for Institutionalizing corruption, it started in India on Date `X'. Prior to that date there might have been extra-constitutional forces working against vigil blowers, investigative journalists, witnesses, et al, but constitutional authorities apparently were investigating officially. But on Date `X' onwards, constitutional authorities, instead of investigating the accused who were caught on camera started verifying whether the cameraman has license to shoot, whether the camera has permit to be imported/used and such silly questions (read TEHELKA).
While the whole world could see that the gentleman caught on camera, a would be CM of a state, was accepting bribe, the constitutional authorities of that time investigated, who hired the room, who hired the camera/cameraman, who is behind it all and so far and so forth. No amount of investigating hotel, camera, cameramen, etc. would convince the general voter that the gentleman caught on camera was shamelessly bragging about his political power and receiving bribe, I repeat BRIBE.
And that is when the Corruption in India was institutionalized.
While the whole world could see that the gentleman caught on camera, a would be CM of a state, was accepting bribe, the constitutional authorities of that time investigated, who hired the room, who hired the camera/cameraman, who is behind it all and so far and so forth. No amount of investigating hotel, camera, cameramen, etc. would convince the general voter that the gentleman caught on camera was shamelessly bragging about his political power and receiving bribe, I repeat BRIBE.
And that is when the Corruption in India was institutionalized.