As they say in Hindi, “Har Bache mein Bhagwan hote hain (Bhagwan resides in every child)”. But, a recent case in Bihar has taken it to a more precise level. During a conversation with Tej Pratap Yadav, a kid seemed to have Bhagwati Saraswati on his tongue. Nothing explains him pointing out a systematic riot in such a casual way.
Little kid shocks Tej Pratap Yadav
Recently Tej Pratap Yadav was conversing with a kid who got famous by standing up to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. During the conversation, Tej Pratap seemed to be encouraging the kid for studying more. After the initial formality, Tej asked him about his ambitions in life. He asked whether the kid wants to become a doctor or an engineer in his adult life.
The kid was quick to pounce on the opportunity and said that he wants to become an IAS. IAS is the most respected and sought-after post among all Civil Service aspirants. Then, Tej Pratap congratulated the kid and offered him a post under Tej in future (if his government comes to power). But the kid was more intelligent than Tej Pratap expected and gave a fierce counter. Shredding all political arrogance of Tej, he said, “No sir, I don’t want to work under anyone. But I will always be grateful if you help me,”
Lalu Raj and the dilapidated state of officers
Inadvertently, it is widely believed that what Tej said was what he saw by virtue of being born in a political family. Apparently, Lalu Raj (termed Jungle Raj) is infamous for the subjugation of authority of administrative officers in the state. During Lalu’s time, it was widely believed that his men and women were in power. No matter how much Constitutionally authority these Central Government officers had, their assertions had no value if any of the Lalu’s kins decided to not obey them.
Lalu’s word used to be law and IAS, IPS, as well as PCS officers, had to oblige as they had to protect their families. No one wanted to meet the end meted out to 1982 IAS officer BB Vishwas. His wife Champa Vishwas was raped for two years by Mrityunjay Yadav, a close aide of Lalu Yadav. If for a moment one believes that these matters were inside of closed doors then allegations of public humiliation of officers on Lalu are no less rampant.
Sushil Modi, a veteran of Bihar BJP revealed that IAS officers during Lalu Raj were used to prepare Khaini for politicians. In another sensational revelation, Uma Bharti asserted that Lalu Yadav and his aides used to order these officers to pick up their spittoons. These incidents are the reason why Gautam Goswami shutting down the mike of Lal Krishna Advani made international headlines. No one could believe how an IAS officer could gather so much courage during Lalu Raj.
Read more: Fate of Gautam Goswami, the Time magazine Asian Hero of the year 2004
The rot has spread all over the country
This is hardly a story of one particular state. The fundamental difference between Executive and Legislature enshrined in the Constitution is rarely seen in real life. Apparently, both organs were differentiated to keep a check on the power of each organ. If the legislative would go haywire, the executive was supposed to provide checks and balances. Judiciary was thought to be a shelter of last recourse.
But, in the process, politicians end up getting too much power over the officer. It turned out the decision about which officer will be placed in which state and which department lies solely with the Central government. However, the fact that state governments are consultative partners makes way for political interference.
Officers are rarely at fault but a solution can emanate only from the top
Like each one of us, IAS and other officers are humans as well. They have their own preference about departments and other aspects of their jobs. Now, if they want to get transferred to a particular department or in a particular location, it is next to impossible for them to get it done on merit. They will have to cater to the politicians in power for their preferences. Moreover, the very fact that the families of these administrative officers are a grim reminder to them that their life is at the mercy of local politicians.
Read more: It’s official, Nitish Kumar is the leader of Jungle Raj 2.0 in Bihar
At the end of the day, politicians have not been able to provide a secure and politician-free environment for our officers. It is largely due to the fact that their incentive lies in taking as much political advantage of these high-end officers. To gather as many resources as possible, it only makes sense for a politician to use officers as a stooge. A politician’s first priority is the goodwill of his voting demographic. Unfortunately, if their voter base demands a particular community be burned to death, an IAS officer will have to stay mum when it actually takes place. It is the only way he can protect himself and wait for the right moment to bring the truth out in the open.
What Tej Pratap said to the kid may be naive, but it was authentic. It would be better if the kid’s words forced policymakers to devise a new policy to end this political mayhem on officers.