In an early morning coup like attack, the Modi govt attacked the premium investigating agency. Though this is not the first institution that this govt sought to undermine, nor was it surprising, but the effects of it will be long lasting
The CBI director is chosen by a collegium of PM, CJI of Supreme Court and Leader of opposition. He or she has a fixed tenure of 2 years and can be removed by the same collegium. The government tried to bend the rules by sending him on leave on flimsy grounds. If the government is successful, it will have created a path to threaten and intimidate the future director and can easily use CBI as a political tool (Although even now CBI is somewhat used, but in future that discreteness will all be gone)
This is not the first institution government has undermined. Supreme Court is alleged to be soft on Amit Shah via previous CJ. It is alleged to send his case to favourable judges. This along with pressure helped him escape from many cases. When government has taken oath, it did not appoint CVC and CIC. If CIC and other Information Commissioner are not there, it leads to lag in RTI appeals and government can avoid the transparency. It further tried to tone down power of CIC but due to severe opposition, has at present put it on hold.
Similarly, if CVC i.e. the Vigilance Commissioner is not there, then it will affect the probe of corruption. If there is not probe, then all the charges can simply be knocked off
Another notable action is not to appoint anyone in statistical organisation wherein you stop information like employment figure, growth rate of unorganized sector etc. Without such information, you can easily use propaganda to claim that mudra is creating jobs, more pf accounts that can never be accurate reflection.
The list can go on and on. People many times ask me if not Modi then whom. To such Stupsanghis, any answer can never satisfy them. To those who have logic over emotions, I will say a great nation is formed due to its great institutions which are transparent, accountable and work within their defined jobs. A myopia of a strong leader who undermines institutions, is infact strong to safeguard his power and cause permanent damage which people realize after damage has been done
We need to oppose the move. I hope SC saves this institution but we have to remember if this is way this government will keep going, 2019 may be our last chance for course correction. May the right in us help us.
