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Mark Twain said politics is the only profession where you lie, cheat and steal and still be respected. Though India was fortunately steered by moral giants in the formative years after Independence, politics today indisputably lacks ethical substance. Politicians who lie, cheat and steal do command respect and clout. Some of their deeds, falling in the category of moral turpitude, rarely trigger national outrage. Isn’t there much greater legitimacy for evil today? Does that indicate the moral fabric of common people is in tatters? Is it true that the majority of people have stopped judging politicians on the yardsticks of personal integrity and constitutional morality?   

The loot in Ram temple distressed almost every Indian but reactions coming from people send out muddled-up, confusing messages. Let’s leave aside the most outrageous response that has come from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), unnecessarily raising the anti-Hindu and anti-national bogey, instead of honestly dealing with the question of theft and financial fraud. Those who are inimical to RSS-BJP philosophy and politics are obviously feeling vindicated; they argue that moral or conscientious behaviour was never expected from this lot. Even those who are favourably inclined towards Sangh Parivar, or categorised as bhakts, have been deeply impacted. Most of them are shocked, confessing that the iron had pierced their soul. Even in this category, broadly three types of responses are heard, revealing how political loyalty overrides moral precept.

The first category wants to brazen it out. Despite the speculation about the estimate of theft ranging between Rs 200 crore and Rs 2,000 crore, this section of people insist a minor issue was being blown out of proportion by political opponents who do not have any locus standi in the matter. 

Their argument goes something like this: “Those who opposed the demolition of Babri mosque and the Ram temple movement are kicking and screaming. They haven’t even visited the temple once. They have no right to question the theft. Leave it to us Hindus to deal with this internal matter.” 

This is a dangerous conception. These people are now defining who has the right to speak........

© The Wire