Why Is the Quality of Morality in Politics and Public Life Going Down?

India has completed 79 years of Independence. On 15 August 1947, India emerged from nearly two centuries of foreign rule and began its journey as a sovereign democratic nation. The generation that inherited the responsibility of governing the country was very different from the political class we see today. A large number of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies in the early years had personally participated in the freedom movement. Many had suffered imprisonment, torture, financial hardship and social persecution for the national cause. They entered public life not primarily for personal advancement but with a sense of duty and sacrifice. They were remembered with affection and respect as Chacha, Bapu, Lok Nayak and by many other honourable titles. The question we must ask today is: Why has the quality of morality, integrity and public conduct in politics and public life declined, despite India’s enormous progress in almost every other field? From Sacrifice to Power For almost three decades after Independence, the Congress dominated national politics and produced most of the Prime Ministers of the country. At the state level, however, political diversity developed relatively early, with Communist parties and regional parties gaining influence in several states. The political and administrative structure inherited at Independence remained heavily centralised. The Union Government exercised enormous influence over administration, while the states had comparatively limited authority in many areas. Senior administrative and police positions were part of a system that had largely evolved during British rule. This is an important point. Political independence came in 1947, but many of the institutions, laws, procedures and administrative habits inherited from the colonial state continued for decades. The British designed institutions primarily to maintain order and control a subject population. Independent India needed to transform those institutions into instruments of democratic service. In some areas this transformation took place; in others, the colonial mindset and outdated procedures continued. Laws are intended to provide a framework for society, while rules guide the functioning of government. But many laws and administrative procedures have remained inadequately updated in relation to the changing aspirations of a young, educated and increasingly globalised India. If our institutions do not evolve with society, frustration naturally develops. The Crisis of Education Education should be the foundation of a nation’s future. Unfortunately, examination irregularities, copying, paper leaks and unfair practices have become recurring concerns. When a student studies honestly for years and then discovers that an examination paper has been leaked or that someone has gained an unfair advantage, the damage is much greater than the cancellation of an examination. It damages faith in the system. Paper leaks can create public anger, protests and sometimes situations in which police and security agencies have to use force. Governments are placed under pressure, and ministers and officials may face demands for resignation. But the deeper issue is moral. A society cannot build a strong nation if dishonesty is rewarded and honesty becomes a disadvantage. Students are not merely candidates appearing for examinations. They are the future doctors, engineers, administrators, teachers, scientists, judges, soldiers and political leaders of India. If their formative years teach them that manipulation can defeat merit, the consequences will be felt for generations. The increasing availability of narcotics around educational institutions and the tragic incidence of student suicides are also warning signs that our educational system must be concerned not merely with marks, but with character, mental resilience and values. Health: A Public Trust Health is another essential service affecting every citizen, whether living in a village or a metropolitan city. India has undoubtedly made remarkable advances in medical science. Institutions such as AIIMS and PGI have earned public confidence and demonstrate what Indian medical institutions can achieve when professionalism, infrastructure and accountability come together. At the same time, many state-run hospitals continue to face challenges involving infrastructure, availability of doctors, equipment, medicines and quality of service. Private healthcare has filled many gaps, but healthcare cannot be treated entirely as a commercial activity. A poor citizen who cannot afford expensive treatment should not feel that quality healthcare is beyond his or her reach. The question is therefore not whether India has progressed. It certainly has. The question is whether the benefits of progress are reaching the ordinary citizen with dignity and fairness. Justice and Fair Selection The third fundamental pillar is justice—particularly fairness in recruitment and selection. Government employment remains highly valued in India because it offers stability and social respect. Therefore, recruitment examinations must be conducted with the highest standards of integrity. The Police and the Need for Reform The police are perhaps the most visible face of the Government. The common citizen may rarely meet a senior civil servant or constitutional authority, but he or she regularly encounters the police. The history of police reform in India is long. The British Government itself appointed several commissions and committees concerning policing between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Politics Has Become More PartyCentred Another major transformation has taken place in electoral politics. In the early years of Independence, individuals with strong personal reputations could win elections even without the organisational strength of a major political party. Today, elections to Parliament and state legislatures are overwhelmingly party-based. The question should not merely be: “Which party does this person belong to?” It should also be: “What kind of person is this? What has he or she done for society? Can this person be trusted with public responsibility?” The quality of democracy ultimately depends upon the quality of those who are elected. Local government is even more important because it is the first point of contact between citizens and the state. Panchayats, municipalities and local bodies should provide opportunities for honest and capable citizens to enter public life. The Loss of Moral Authority India has not failed. On the contrary, India’s achievements are extraordinary. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant economic, technological and strategic advances. India has emerged as one of the world’s largest economies. India is progressing. But material progress alone cannot make a nation great. A country requires economic strength, military capability, scientific achievement and technological excellence. But it also requires honesty, truthfulness, compassion, justice and sincerity in public service. Our ancient civilisational traditions have always understood this. Where Did We Go Wrong? Perhaps the decline in morality cannot be attributed to one political party, one government or one generation. The reasons are deeper. Politics has become increasingly expensive. Electoral competition has become intense. Social media has accelerated political polarisation. Public expectations have increased enormously. The attraction of power, position and influence has grown. Restoring Faith in Public Institutions The greatest challenge before India is not merely to create new institutions, but to restore public confidence in existing institutions. We need continuous updating of laws and rules. We need transparent and technologydriven recruitment systems. We need examination systems in which paper leaks become extremely difficult and wrongdoing is swiftly punished. We need better government schools, universities and hospitals. We need professional and politically neutral policing. The Road to 2047 India will celebrate the centenary of Independence in 2047. That gives us approximately two decades to ask ourselves what kind of country we wish to leave for the next generation. Will we measure success only by GDP, infrastructure, military strength and technological achievements? Or will we also measure it by whether a poor person can obtain justice, whether a deserving student can secure admission without fear of manipulation, whether a patient can receive treatment with dignity, whether a young person can obtain employment through merit, and whether an ordinary citizen can approach a government office without feeling helpless? The India of 2047 must be not only a richer India but a more ethical India. We need to search our collective soul. We must rediscover the values that inspired the freedom movement: sacrifice, service, truth, courage, discipline and commitment to the nation. The freedom fighters did not sacrifice their lives merely to replace foreign rulers with Indian rulers. They dreamed of an India in which every citizen could live with dignity, justice and freedom. Our institutions are fair. Our leaders are trustworthy. Our public servants are sincere. And our democracy belongs to the people.