The real need is not a "Minister of Internal Security"

Ever since the blasts in Delhi, the polotical circles are abuzz. The opposition is on the war front saying that the ruling alliance is not capable of enacting tough laws for countering terrorism. While the ruling alliance itself has now admitted that we need "tougher anti-terrorist laws" to counter the terrorist activities. Since they thought that it would be tough to remove the Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil, a very senior leader, they came out with another plan. Now as per them, the real need is a Minister for Internal Security.

I ask the political think tank of all the parties and also the political analysts this very simple question- "What can the new minister do that was not possible under the Home Ministry?"

You can go on and create 'n' no of ministries, but the reality remains as it is today. India cannot get rid of these terrorists, unless there is a cleanup act on corruption starting from the top. Any "Tough laws" that the NDA may enact. Any ministries that the UPA may from cannot work without the ground forces. And I say this again with my head held low in shame, our law enforcement agencies are simply not honest enough to bring the guilty to justice. Newspapers are filled with one or the other story of police injustice or brutality everyday. Every now and then we see or hear people talking about the corrupt cops, but when it comes to action, we dont do anything. We smile and wonder in awe when we get to hear that the "rate" for getting selected in the police service is this much. If someone from our circle wants to join the service, we'll happily arrange the amount for the same purpose. No wonder that you wont find it difficult to stumble upon a cop who gets hafta form the drug mafia. Afterall he does have to make profit on his "investment".

And even if the culprit is somehow caught, and brought to court, we cant be sure of justice because of the legal system we have. First of all, we dont have a process of speedy trials. Even if the judge assures that the trial is not prolonged, we always have our lawers who can get the trial delayed for decades. And not only this, the corruption has its way here also. As witnessedin BMW case (Sanjeev Nanda case), the Public prosecutor and the Defence lawer have no shame whatsoever, and are openly offerring bribe to the lone witness. And one thing I cant understand is that why were they charged only with misconduct, why were they not tried for influencing the witness, perjury and obstruction of justice.

And even if we manage to find honest lawers, who do their duty, there will be no guarantee of justice lookng at a couple of cases that have been reported in Chandigarh (the latest being where an associate of the Advocate Gen. delivered cash of 15 Lakh at the official residence of a sitting High Court Judge).

So even if we enact the toughest of laws known to the humankind, we still cant guarantee the result that it promises to achieve. To ensure that innocent lives are not lost in the future, I think we need stringent anti corruption laws. If people think that they can just do anything and buy their way out, then laws wont be any deterrant. It is only that when people fear the repurcussions, that they think twice about doing anything which may result in harsh punishment.

(Though there is also a huge need for awakening among the general public so that less and less people fall prey to the recruiters of these so called jehadis, I will limit myself to the topic discussed above today)

A proud Indian