As we are
surpassing the 75th year of our independence, there are discussions
on sanctity and working freedom of constitutional authorities . While corrupt
politicians are now being chased by the Enforcement directorate and CBI, a
section of the media has alleged that Institutions are politically managed. However
it is also a fact that constitutional institutions have consistently shown us
through effective leadership, that authority of those Institutions can be well
exercised in delivering effective justice to the public.
Take in the
case of the election commission. When the late TN Sheshan took over as the
Election commissioner in the mid-nineties, brazing all political pressures he
ensured that the code of conduct of
elections are enforced, resulting in free and fair election. It can be recalled
that the political establishment then, finding the powers of the election commissioner
was beyond their control, trifurcated the institution as we see it
today. However the legacy set henceforth by the late TN Sheshan still continues with each subsequent election
commissioners strictly following the rule book even while disgruntled
politicians, when they lose an election, murmurs about fake voting machines .
The second
instance of effective leadership of uploading constitutional authority was during
the coal scam which was reported by the office of the then Comptroller and
Auditor General impact from which the then ruling party is still struggling
.While all these development took place in the domain of central
administration, little is being reported by the mainstream media of a similar
exercise of enforcement of Institutional authority against political nepotism
happening in the case of Kerala. Governor Dr Arif Mohammed Khans strict tirade
against the politically backed nepotism of appointment of Academicians in State
Universities is the case in point.
One of the
reasons for higher education in India being in shambles is the excessive
politicization of its governing senate which is the key
decision body involved in selection of academicians and giving contracts. In
most cases in the States, the senators are camouflaged academicians with
political colors or loyalty , giving the political parties concerned direct influence in decision making . Selection
to academic positions is mostly met not by merit but by political
consideration. Cases of giving lakhs of rupees for posting have been reported
in many places. The recent teachers recruitment scam in West Bengal is an example.
In the case
of Kerala, the governor being the chancellor of the Universities refrained from
blindly signing the senate recommendations. In the current case the wife of an
officer of the State CM is alleged to have been recommended, which the governor
has objected to. In order to circumvent this objection, the State Government
made efforts in bringing an ordinance, to curtail powers of the Governor. When
the governor did not approve of the ordinance , it is now contemplated that a
bill may be brought in this regard to curtail his powers
While this political
imbroglio goes on what need to be noted is on the relevance of the role of a
governor in a federal set up. Position of the governor have often been
criticised as a gubernatorial position and in this case, Governor of Kerala has
aptly demonstrated that constitutional authority and morals can be enforced and
institutions protected. By doing so the name of Dr Arif Muhammed Khan goes into
the lore of those leaders who held India high in spirit
