On March 13 this year, Tehelka.com, an online magazine, released a 4.5-hour video footage, which triggered the corruption debate in India once again. Last year, Tehelka was responsible for providing evidence of match fixing in Cricket. A Tehelka reporter named Samuel Mathews began posing as an arms dealer. Mathews claimed that he could supply large quantity of night vision devices and much more for the army and that he would pay heavy kickbacks or commissions to those who could get him the contracts through the Government. During seven months of sustained effort, Mathews was able to bribe his way up to the office of the President of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the house of the Defence Minister. He made sure that every time he made a contact, held a conversation and doled out a bribe, the entire episode was recorded on a miniature hidden video camera. In all, Tehelka spent 1100000 Rupees which included 100000 to Bangaru Lakshman (President of the ruling BJP) and 200000 to Jaya Jetli (President of Samata party), which is a part of the ruling National Democratic alliance. George Fernandez, India’s former Defence Minister came from Samata party. Finally, Mathews was able to procure a government order asking him to demonstrate the equipment he wanted to supply before an inspection Committee. It is noteworthy, that throughout this episode, neither did Mathews have any night vision equipment, which he could show, nor did he have anything else as an arms manufacturer or supplier. None in the government bothered to check or verify his antecedents. Although the Tehelka team was always scared of being caught, nothing of the sort happened. Finally, they released the footage. As a consequence, both the Defence Minister and the President of the BJP resigned. The Parliament did not function for 13 days. BJP has always claimed to be a party with a difference guided by virtue, honesty and religious moral values. It was the Congress, which the BJP used to whip with charges of corruption. This time, congress got a chance to settle the scores and show that BJP is no different. In fact its even worse. Fourteen years ago, Congress President and Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi was charged by the opposition for having taken 640000000 Rupees as kickbacks from a Swedish gun manufacturer. Opposition alleged that the gun was inferior to another French gun but due to the commission, the Swedish gun was accepted and approved. The CBI (India’s intelligence agency) has been investigating these charges for 12 years now. India has changed seven Prime Ministers since then and these charges have not been proved yet. Contrarily, the BJP President was caught red handed compromising his integrity for just 100000 Rupees! Moreover, the defence Minister’s party President receives merely Rupees 200000 in his house and promises to look into the matter. The image of the ruling alliance was spoilt forever. Tehelka became a household name and people began to label all politicians and bureaucrats as corrupt.
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