It is relatively rare for retired civil servants to join political parties (though the trend does seem to be increasing of late), and rarer still for those who do to retain the objectivity and value systems that they had been taught in the Academy at Mussoorie. We have only to look at the worthies in the current Union cabinet to see how quickly they have dumped their earlier oath to the Constitution in favour of the rewards of sycophancy. Which is why it was so refreshing to hear the heartfelt words of my batch mate, Jawhar Sircar, Rajya Sabha MP from the Trinamool Congress, last week.
Jawhar, who retired in the rank of Secretary to Govt., was inducted as MP last year by Mamata Banerjee, not for his political inclinations, but for his prolific writings on current affairs, culture and history. But within a year he has gone public with his dismay at the corruption and nepotism prevailing in the TMC (Trinamool Congress), his own party, in an interview with a Bengali news channel. What he said was: "This practice of loot was absent in our culture," and went on to caution that " the battle for 2024 will be difficult with one part of the body rotten." This is quite extraordinary and unheard of in the current political ethos of the country, especially coming from a relative tyro in politics. This is not the fashionable "dissidence" of the Scindias and Azads of the world, a repayment for the thirty pieces of silver, a ploy to jump ship for greener pastures, to mix metaphors. This is the absolution and "confession" before certain political death, for Jawhar surely knows the risks involved, especially with a lady like his party President who runs a tight ship, at least when it comes to people speaking their minds. Which is why he makes me proud and convinces me that there are bureaucrats and bureaucrats.
He will probably be unceremoniously dumped by the Bengal tigress. A big mistake. Mrs. Banerjee badly needs some outstanding, honest, articulate, non-purchasable, rational people around her, for her aura is fading. Increasingly, there is little to differentiate her from Mr. Modi- the same autocratic streak, repressive instincts when it comes to free speech and dissent, loud mouthed, in constant fighting mode, inability to get on with other parties, an outsized ego. As the comedian Varun Grover had remarked some time back- she is Modi in a sari. A sari getting tainted with corruption and sleaze charges every day.
The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and ED (Enforcement Directorate) are almost certainly acting with political motives, but that does not change the reality: that the stink of corruption is now pervading Kolkatta and there appear to be more skeletons in the TMC cupboard than in the Bhawanipur cemetery. Mukul Roy, Suvendhu Adhikari, Abhishek Banerjee, Partha Bhattacharya, Anubrata Mondal- the list keeps growing by the day. Right or wrong, some of the allegations and dirt are bound to stick. The Chief Minister's personal probity and integrity will not be able to recompense for these corrupt doings for very much longer. And the middle class Bengali- the famous "bhadralok"- will start to wonder, sooner rather than later.
Having spent many years in West Bengal and (the then Calcutta), I know the typical bhadralok. He is educated, loves to discuss politics, has a sound moral compass, is fiercely loyal to his party and football club, and doesn't trust New Delhi. He respects intellectual ability and the thrust and parry of a good argument. Which is why someone like Jawhar Sircar- erudite, a moderate liberal, a writer with no politically ideological baggage, a distinguished track record in government- can be an asset to the TMC. This is probably the reason why Mamata Banerjee inducted him as an MP in the first place. This justification still stands, perhaps even more so today. Having invited him in, she should now give him some leeway and listen to what he is saying. Many of my friends in Bengal think the same way. With the 2024 elections just over the horizon, Jawhar's advice could be a good opportunity for the Chief Minister to initiate a course correction, throw out the rotten apples instead of adopting a pugilistic approach and blaming the BJP for everything. Her national image has already been severely dented by these corruption charges. Expelling or even side lining Jawhar Sircar could adversely effect her image with the bhadralok too.
Meanwhile, I laud my batchmate for having the courage of his convictions, for having spoken out in the best traditions of John Stuart Mill: " He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name....(or) will not trouble to use his mind on the subject." For silence too is a form of complicity in these dystopic times.
There is a time to speak out, and a time to listen.
Brilliant! Does Ms. Banerjee read? Please send to her...
ReplyDeleteThe bromance with a fellow ex-IAS is not missed in Avay Shukla's latest blog. I am reminded of his brotherly buttress in the recent past when he was forgiving towards the bureaucrat in Delhi who chose to walk his canine in a stadium, curtailing practice hours.
ReplyDeleteIn the matter of the person in reference - Jawhar Sircar - like each one of us, is far from immune to the foot-in-mouth affliction. In fact one wonders if he has a predilection for it.
Back in 2014 when he was the CEO of Prasar Bharati, Sircar found himself hot behind the ears for allegedly editing a Modi interview at the behest of the Congress. The unedited version was promptly aired by the BJP on coming to power.
Later in June 2021, prior to joining the TMC in August the same year, he embarrassed everybody but himself mostly with an edited picture and tweet of the Prime Minister being extra courteous to the lady pictured as Nita Ambani. It was subsequently established that she was really another woman who ran an NGO. Sircar has deleted his tweet since.
Then in December the same year, he was sonorous once more over the Prime Minister's ultra expensive vehicle procurement, and threw in the sunglasses as a one-plus-one-free jibe. The diatribe comes to memory because even then it had not struck as an intelligent one, particularly coming from a supposedly erudite ex-bureaucrat.
Sircar roughed himself up again in February 2022 when he tweeted snidely about Nirmala Sitaraman and her past employment experience in Sales that had probably helped her in putting all of India's prized assets up for disinvestment. He had to apologise for it.
His latest comments about his own party which Avay Shukla lauds through this blog - are they yet another coming from a serial volleyer, or are they for once to be taken as a genuine plaint of an anguished supporter desirous of cleansing his party.
As of the time of this response, Jawhar Sircar has not been made to walk the plank, though voices within the TMC are baying for his blood. Has Avay Shukla placed a cushion to soften Sircar's fall if it is ordained, or is he from his infinite bond for the Institution racking up support to pre-empt Sircar's possible ouster!
Time will tell....
Mr. Patankar is being less than fair to Jawhar Sircar and is trivialising the issue. Who among has not committed a gaffe or two in our careers, or has not been misled by a post on social media? By his action Jawhar has provided a template for other politicians: to put basic moral and ethical principles above self interest. I would think that should be lauded and not rubbished- let us give credit where it is due and deserved. As for my defending the " Institution", I have from time to time done my fair share of disapproving of my colleagues. But the positives must be applauded even while calling out the negatives. That is only fair.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I played cricket with Avay Shukla, I learnt a lesson.
ReplyDeleteThe ground, bat, ball and stumps being his, (and his team even then being the BureaucRats and ours being the Lateral Entrants with Dr. Subbarao leading us), he sent us packing with a terse "Enough said" when we hit the ball a bit hard.
I learnt thence that silence must always be mine in every second inning.
There is a time to speak out and a time to listen....