I am pained and puzzled to hear the opinions of prominent people in this sordid episode. I do not consider Suresh Kalmadi guilty in this matter - even as the PM did not consider Shibbu Soren guilty for a few murders he committed a quarter century back - because by some quirk of machination his case never came up in our overburdened courts - which had many other important things to do. However, Kalmadi is holding a public office, and publicly he has compromised his position on national TV by trying to present a false document to deflect a direct charge against him. By doing that he has brought a reasonable doubt on himself - as more and more skeletons tumbled from the cupboard. As things stand today, not even his own party or close associates will strongly argue in support of his innocence in this matter. Suresh Kalmadi has summarily dismissed the suggestion to step down, and his party is strongly supporting him for obvious reasons.
However, the majority and the "intellectual" view is, to let the games go on for now. Once the games are over, and the last of the visitors leave, we will institute necessary actions against those found guilty of corruption after the games are over. Otherwise it will affect the games and our national "pride". Their argument is - without Kalmadi at the helm, it will be very difficult to have a successful game at this late stage. Moreover, there is nobody who will be willing to take over at this stage. In fact, one of his party spokesmen almost left the cat out of the bag by voicing a classic concern. He said, "What if we institute a probe, and after 10 or 20 years, the probe finds him not guilty?" Was that a giveaway? They also want the media to stop airing their continuing reporting on this episode that is bringing “shame” to the nation. The last almost sounded like "shooting the messenger" and making them out to be "unpatriotic". Am I to understand that reporting corruption is wrong – but the act of corruption is pardonable?
My contention: Of course, the games are important and it has to go on. I am sure, a committee can be set up to oversee the final preparation – even if Kalmadi remains in the background as a consultant or advisor. What pride is there to let the world know that we are a nation that condones corruption? Do we have to nationalise and glorify corruption on this scale? - our dubious record in the transparency international corruption index, notwithstanding? Are we trying to establish a record of sorts? Moreover, the message we give the world is that we do not have any capable person among our teaming millions to run an event like this? What national pride are we talking about? I only see shame in this suggestion.
On the other hand, it is common knowledge that corruption is ingrained into our systems. This could have been an excellent opportunity to stand up and state we will no more tolerate corruption whatever cost it entails. This message would have been a better advertisement to the world.
So, propriety demands that Kalmadi should step down and hand over charge of this important event to the next person - and face a honest inquiry - not the one that will go on for 20 years!
