Traditionally and culturally, by and large, Indians have held in high respect those who make personal sacrifices for the sake of social upliftment, with a focus on the national cause and public good.
In the pre-independence days, under the great leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, several individuals such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, and V. O. Chidambaranar left lucrative professions and plunged themselves into public life. In the process, they endured imprisonment for upholding the national cause and striving for India’s independence from British rule. There were also many other men and women, perhaps lesser known to the present generation, who made equal sacrifices, and some even gave their lives for the national cause, inspired by Gandhi’s call for a non-violent struggle. Their contributions were no less significant than those of the widely recognised leaders. The sacrifices of both the known and unknown crusaders represented extraordinary standards of public life.
However, after India’s independence in 1947, as those pre-independence crusaders passed away over time, the standards of public life and political conduct gradually began to decline. Today, there is widespread concern among citizens that the commitment and ethical standards of many in politics have sunk to abysmally low levels. Several prominent leaders, politicians, and ministers face charges of nepotism and corruption. While a few have been punished by the courts, many continue to face serious criminal and corruption trials yet manage to cling to power, which is deeply disturbing.
Against this backdrop, when well-qualified young people give up prestigious government or corporate careers to enter public life and fight for probity while seeking to eradicate corruption, they inevitably capture the imagination of the public. Their speeches and activities are listened to with interest, even before they have proven themselves as successful crusaders in the eyes of society. Many citizens wish them well and hope they will rise to the occasion, working with fairness and determination to achieve their declared objectives.
Yet, when such crusaders engage in social activism and raise their voices against corruption and nepotism, they often find themselves helpless, unable to bring about tangible change. Their frustration in these circumstances is palpable.
Soon, they realise that true change requires political power and that they cannot remain merely “paper tigers”. However, when they contest elections independently—without the backing of political parties, money power, or large networks—they suffer crushing defeats. This often leads them to conclude that they must either form their own political party or join an existing one aligned with their ideals. In doing so, however, they are compelled to share space with politicians who wield vested interests and maintain tight control over party affairs. In many cases, where major parties are essentially family-run organisations, crusaders are forced into compromises, losing their moral clarity and public appeal.
Post-independence India has seen many young aspirants enter public life with immense public expectations, only to end up as career politicians tarnished by corruption charges.
Nevertheless, there are still some crusaders who refuse to compromise or join political parties. Yet they remain “misfits” in the current political and public climate, unable to achieve large-scale change.
India is yet to witness a figure who, with unwavering commitment to probity, dedicates a lifetime to the public cause and succeeds in restoring integrity while rooting out corruption and nepotism across government, politics, and even the private sector.
