Values Devalued: Indira to Rao

The book is a political analysis from the times of Ms. Indira Gandhi to Narasimha Rao, who were pivots in Indian politics and functioned as the head of the government in the centre. Squabble in the congress party made the stage for Ms. Gandhi’s entry into politics. No doubt, she proved equal to the task, but her steps to control the Congress party and her authoritative discourses as the supreme authority of the government had ruined many recognised social, moral and political values. Her authoritarian streak, adroitness to neutralise the opponents and ruthlessness to silence the party colleagues hastened decay in moral, ethical and political standard. Declaration of internal emergency, covert action to establish a line of succession, vindictiveness to humble the critics and Sanjay Gandhi’s high-handedness were clear manifestation of galling degeneration. Her successors Rajiv Gandhi lamentably failed to salvage the country from the growing rot and ensure a new life and promise. The tenth Prime Minister Naramsimha Rao’s stewardship was tainted by miasma of corruption, scams, bribe to the MPs, criminal prosecutions and attempt to impeach a judge, measly influence of the Godman Chandraswamy, PM’s ambivalence to initiate firm action. The author’s long stint as Superintendent of police of the central unit, of the Central Bureau of investigation in New Delhi gave him the opportunity to watch development during the emergency and come in close contact with several national leaders. He supervised and investigated criminal cases against many VIPs, unearthed mysteries, corruption thriving at high levels and exposed the offenders. Excruciating political interference, flaws in national security, various disturbing unrest have been boldly unfolded in the book. Indeed, narratives are based on direct evidence, scrupulously discarding hearsay and gossip. Indeed, the book is a dispassionate and pensive analysis focusing how the country’s social, moral political values have been systematically jeopardised and destroyed blow by blow by the succeeding political leaders, political parties and their patrons in perpetuating their selfish political ambitions circumventing the nation’s interest.