Radia tapes

With the continuing exposé of the Niira Radia tapes, a question keeps popping up in my mind: who do we, the people, believe now? First we trusted the politicians in whose hands we entrusted our future, then the industrial giants on whom we relied for growth and, finally, the media which we believed would tell us the good and bad happenings in and around our country. 

The fresh set of leaked Radia tapes is a reconfirmation of the conspiratorial role played by the captains of industry through their agents and lobbyists to influence the government. But for the leakage of the tapes, the cosy media-corporate relationship would have remained under wraps. Society would have continued to believe that the elite classes have achieved what they have by rendering service to the nation. The Supreme Court should take cognisance of the disclosures while dealing with Ratan Tata's plea to protect his privacy.

That the media, hailed as a whistle blower, are also involved in the unholy nexus of political opportunism is surprising. Corruption has surpassed its expected levels by encompassing the media as well. In this situation, the citizens cannot understand on whom lies the onus of whistle-blowing. The journalists involved in the Radia episode certainly cannot vindicate their position saying they were only getting information.It appears that a good politician, an honest industrialist and a trustworthy journalist will henceforth become a rare entity.

The controversy shows how meticulously the entire system has been manipulated by high-profile politicians, mediapersons and corporate heads playing the game of power. The issue warrants the immediate withdrawal of government benefits and privileges, if any, and the stripping of civilian awards given to anyone directly or indirectly involved in the episode.