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Chapter 55: The issues
28th February 1997 – Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
There was an eerie heaviness resounding through the grand halls as, across the tables, Animesh sat facing President K. R. Narayanan and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ravinandan Goswami. Before him, each one of them systematically scanned the files he had laid before them.
Half an hour passed; nobody said a word, but from their faces, it was clear they were digesting the information with a grimness. Finally, one of them, Ravinandan Goswami, a man of silence, broke the silence.
"It looks like this really is a problem. If it is not corrected soon, it might divide our country into North and South," he said in a deadpan way.
The President sighed, sinking back into his chair. "It is indeed." His face was contorted in trouble, something not very often seen on the face of this man who had been in politics and governance for decades.
Animesh, for the first time in years, struggled for words. This issue was unlike anything he had tackled before. It wasn't about economic growth or military strength; it was an issue concerning the very fabric of the nation.
"Sir, is there any law or policy to help us clear communism from our country? Or at least, to prevent such leaders who overtly seek to divide India?"
He knew the answer, but he had to ask. The situation was dire.
Files described an emerging problem-a heady mix of corruption, mass conversions on false pretext, and separatist ideology, cloaked in garb of regional pride. Of course, corruption there was but deeper and fuller, here was an ideological slide in part of this country, people here were actively persuaded to renounce central authority.
It wasn't merely an issue with governance. This was an existential threat to India's unity.
The President puffed heavily. "Anime, the matter is too deep. Much as I am the President, even Ravinandan as Chief Justice, we cannot change it overnight."
The Chief Justice shut the file and knocked his fingers on the table. "What your report shows is alarming. Mass conversions of Hindus, often in exchange for money, food, or so-called miracles-this is indeed wrong. But there is no legal framework to stop it outright. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Any move against it could be labeled as an attack on secularism."
Animesh clinched his fist. "Secularism doesn't mean allowing foreign-funded groups to manipulate our people. This is not faith-this is ideological invasion!"
Ravinandan Goswami nodded but kept caution. "You are not wrong, but understand this-changing laws is not enough. This is a battle of perception, of education, of national consciousness."
The President sighed. "And if we push too hard, there is a risk of backlash, not only internally, but at the hands of international forces, who will label us oppressors. The West, the media, human rights organizations. they will make an overnight sensation out of this."
Animesh leaned forward, his gaze firm. "Then what can be done?
The Chief Justice was in contemplation for some time. "Legally, we can work on tightening the laws against 'forced conversions' and foreign funding of religious activities. But more importantly, the cultural and national identity needs to be strengthened via education, media, and good governance. Once people take pride in their nation, then foreign-funded agendas shall not sway them."
Animesh knew it was not going to be an easy battle.
"Then let us start there. I will not allow a divided India, whatever happens.
"But sir, there are a few issues which I hope shall be resolved much earlier, and which will definitely benefit our country and its image too."
Animesh sipped tea and looked towards the President and the Chief Justice of India and said,
"Huh.? The two of them said nothing for some time. They did not know what Animesh actually wanted to do.
"Explain, Animesh. I didn't understand. What are you trying to mean?" the Chief Justice asked him.
"Sir, what I am really talking about is the judiciary system of our country, where everything is biased. I know this may hurt your personal opinion, but I am sure this is 100% right." Animesh placed the tea on the table, looked into their eyes, and said seriously,
"You also know how much our judiciary is lagging in this respect. We are a population of almost one billion people, and we are not even able to give them justice. And I am sure you have heard it already—"
'Justice delayed is justice denied.'
There was a silence in the hall when Animesh said this. One could hear the breathing of the three gentlemen.
"Huh." At last, the President and the Chief Justice of India looked at each other after a while and let out a sigh.
"Animesh, I know you have a huge vision for our country, and from whatever steps you have taken in the last four months since you became Prime Minister, we do like your work already. But there is something much deeper and far more complex than you can fathom.
"Politics is so big, a man reaches only to the level of the child who only learned ABCs and saw just the surface."
"It is not that we don't want to change anything. We cannot."
"I, too-from top to the bottom-have committed some corruption. And even the one who wouldn't want will be compelled due to pressure coming from the above.
"While your BII may have been a success, compared to the giants, it is nothing. By estimate, more than a billion dollars are being laundered month after month from black to white by corruption, among other means."
"We do not even have a choice but to comply."
Animesh's face hardened. The Chief Justice's confession was as much a pleading of helplessness as an indirect warning: the judiciary, that last outpost of justice, was so mired in corruption that even the highest were forced to go by the glare of evil.
"Sir, with due respect, if we keep on articulating that we have no choice, the situation in India would never change," he said in an even but firm tone. "You are saying corruption has become so entrenched in this country that even the Chief Justice has got to play the game? If that indeed is the case, then this issue is no more about reforms; it is about national survival itself."
The President rubbed his temples. "Animesh, you are not wrong. But this is bigger than you think. The judiciary is not merely corrupt because people want it to be-it is corrupt because the system makes it easy. Politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats, even foreign players-everybody has a stake in keeping things as they are."
The Chief Justice sighed, falling back in his chair. "I say this without any exaggeration, but if you push too hard and too fast, you will turn into an enemy of people whom you have not even brought into your consideration circle. The very institutions you seek to clean will resist you with everything they have.
Animesh knew what that meant. His BII had already shaken some mighty oaks. But if what Ravinandan Goswami said was true-if a billion dollar was being laundered each month through illicit channels; then even his agency was just a drop in the ocean.
He leaned forward, unruffled. "If the system is rotten, it must be dismantled. Slowly, methodically, but completely. I refuse to accept that corruption is a necessary evil."
The President looked at him for some time. Then he spoke in a measured tone. "And how do you propose to do that? The judiciary is independent. Parliament cannot control it. The bureaucracy protects its own. The police are under political pressure. How do you intend to cut through this web?"
Animesh took a deep breath. He had been preparing for this moment for months. "First, we take control of the narrative. Corruption, till now, is something that's just inconvenient but not a crisis. We need to change that perception in the public eye. If the public feels that justice is unattainable in this country, they will never believe in the system. That is what I want to avoid.
The Chief Justice nodded slightly. "Strong public opinion, yes. And then what?"
Animesh's eyes glittered. "We need three things: a judicial accountability commission, a fast-track court system for corruption cases, and a law that provides for life imprisonment for high-order corruption."
The President raised his eyebrows. "Life imprisonment?"
"Yes, sir," Animesh replied emphatically.
For some time, the Chief Justice said nothing, then began to speak.
Animesh nodded. "I will do as it needs to be done."
"One more thing, sir: Reservation System of this Country."