महात्मा गाँधी और भारतीय राजनीति में मध्यम मार्गी दृष्टिकोण

मध्यम मार्ग की अवधारणा: महात्मा गाँधी का मध्यम मार्गी दृष्टिकोण भारतीय राजनीति में अतिवादी विचारधाराओं और प्रतिक्रियात्मक उपायों के बीच संतुलन बनाने पर आधारित था।

अहिंसा और सत्याग्रह: गाँधी ने सत्याग्रह (अहिंसात्मक प्रतिरोध) को अपनाया, जो आक्रामक संघर्ष और निष्क्रिय स्वीकृति के बीच का एक संतुलित रास्ता था। दांडी मार्च (1930) इसका प्रमुख उदाहरण है, जहाँ उन्होंने शांतिपूर्ण विरोध के माध्यम से ब्रिटिश नीतियों का विरोध किया।

आर्थिक और सामाजिक संतुलन: गाँधी ने खादी और स्वदेशी आंदोलन के माध्यम से आत्मनिर्भरता को बढ़ावा दिया, जो आर्थिक प्रगति और सामाजिक न्याय के बीच संतुलन स्थापित करता है।

हाल के उदाहरण: गाँधी का मध्यम मार्गी दृष्टिकोण आज भी स्वच्छ भारत अभियान जैसी नीतियों में देखा जा सकता है, जो पारंपरिक प्रथाओं को बिना बाधित किए स्वच्छता और विकास को बढ़ावा देता है।

गाँधी का दृष्टिकोण भारतीय राजनीति में संतुलन और सामंजस्य के लिए एक प्रेरणास्त्रोत बना हुआ है।

Buddha’s Eightfold Path for the Purification of Conduct

1. Right Understanding (Sammā-ditthi):

• Definition: Comprehending the nature of reality and the Four Noble Truths.
• Example: Understanding that suffering is caused by desire and that overcoming it requires following the Eightfold Path. This insight is fundamental to practicing Buddhism, as seen in the Dhamma talks by Buddhist monks.

2. Right Intention (Sammā-sankappa):

• Definition: Cultivating intentions of renunciation, non-ill will, and harmlessness.
• Example: The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs incorporate right intention by encouraging participants to approach life with kindness and compassion.

3. Right Speech (Sammā-vācā):

• Definition: Speaking truthfully, avoiding slander, harsh speech, and gossip.
• Example: In the Nobel Peace Prize speeches, many laureates emphasize the importance of truthful and compassionate communication.

4. Right Action (Sammā-kammanta):

• Definition: Engaging in ethical conduct by avoiding killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
• Example: The Ethical Consumer Movement promotes products and practices that align with ethical and moral standards, reflecting right action.

5. Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva):

• Definition: Earning a living in a way that does not cause harm to others.
• Example: Fair Trade Organizations support ethical business practices and fair wages, adhering to the principle of right livelihood.

6. Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma):

• Definition: Making diligent efforts to overcome negative states and develop positive qualities.
• Example: Yoga and meditation practices encourage sustained effort in personal development and mental discipline.

7. Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati):

• Definition: Being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in a non-judgmental way.
• Example: Mindfulness meditation retreats help individuals develop right mindfulness by focusing on the present moment and self-awareness.

8. Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi):

• Definition: Cultivating deep states of meditation to achieve mental clarity and tranquility.
• Example: Vipassana meditation courses are designed to help practitioners develop deep concentration and insight.

These eight components collectively guide individuals towards ethical conduct, mental clarity, and ultimately, spiritual liberation. By integrating these practices into daily life, one can achieve personal transformation and contribute positively to society.

Steps to Prevent Corruption in Society

**1. Strengthening Legal Framework:

• Enhanced Legislation: Implement and enforce robust anti-corruption laws. Strengthen institutions like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate and prosecute corruption. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 introduced significant changes to address loopholes in anti-corruption laws.

**2. Promoting Transparency:

• Open Data and Reporting: Ensure transparency in government transactions and decision-making processes. Implement systems like RTI (Right to Information) that allow citizens to access information about public affairs. For example, RTI applications have exposed several corruption cases in India, including irregularities in COVID-19 relief distribution.

**3. Encouraging Whistleblowers:

• Protection and Incentives: Provide protection and incentives for whistleblowers who expose corrupt practices. The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014 aims to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and encourages reporting of corruption.

**4. Promoting Ethical Standards:

• Education and Training: Incorporate ethics and anti-corruption education into school and college curricula. Conduct regular training for public officials on ethical conduct. For instance, India’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2019) includes components for public education and awareness.

**5. Leveraging Technology:

• Digital Platforms: Utilize technology to minimize human intervention and reduce opportunities for corruption. Implement digital platforms for services like income tax filing and public procurement to ensure transparency and reduce bureaucratic delays.

**6. Strengthening Institutional Integrity:

• Accountability Mechanisms: Establish independent bodies to monitor and audit public institutions. For example, the ** Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)** plays a crucial role in auditing government spending and promoting accountability.

By taking these steps, society can create a more transparent, accountable, and ethical environment that effectively combats corruption and fosters trust in public institutions.

Ethical Issues in Corporate Governance

**1. Conflict of Interest:

• Definition: When personal interests of executives or board members conflict with the interests of the company.
• Example: The Wells Fargo fake accounts scandal (2016) involved employees creating unauthorized accounts to meet sales targets, driven by personal incentives and conflicting interests with company ethics.

**2. Transparency and Disclosure:

• Definition: Ethical concerns arise when companies fail to disclose important financial information or mislead stakeholders.
• Example: The Satyam Computers scandal (2009) revealed how the company’s top management manipulated financial statements, leading to significant investor losses and legal repercussions.

**3. Executive Compensation:

• Definition: High executive pay and bonuses, especially when not aligned with company performance, can be seen as unethical.
• Example: In 2019, the compensation of CEOs like Elon Musk faced scrutiny, raising questions about fairness when juxtaposed with the company’s broader employee wage structure.

**4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

• Definition: Companies may face ethical issues if they neglect their social responsibilities or engage in environmentally harmful practices.
• Example: Volkswagen’s emissions scandal (2015) involved cheating on emissions tests, which undermined environmental standards and corporate responsibility.

**5. Whistleblower Protection:

• Definition: Ethical issues arise when companies retaliate against employees who report unethical behavior.
• Example: The Enron scandal (2001) highlighted retaliation against whistleblowers who attempted to expose the company’s fraudulent activities, leading to a loss of public trust and regulatory reforms.

In summary, ethical issues in corporate governance involve conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, questionable executive compensation, neglect of CSR, and retaliation against whistleblowers. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining trust and integrity in corporate practices.

The Right to Information Act and Its Impact on Accountability

**1. Citizen Empowerment:

• The Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens by granting them the right to access information held by public authorities. This transparency allows individuals to understand and scrutinize government actions. For instance, the RTI Act has been instrumental in exposing corruption, such as in the Kolkata West International City scam (2021), where RTI queries revealed discrepancies in land allotments.

**2. Redefinition of Accountability:

• The RTI Act redefines accountability by mandating that public officials and institutions provide clear explanations for their decisions and actions. This requirement ensures that public authorities are answerable to the public. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) beneficiaries’ data was scrutinized through RTI requests, leading to improved transparency and accountability in the scheme’s implementation.

**3. Increased Transparency:

• The Act promotes transparency by making it mandatory for government bodies to disclose information proactively. This proactive disclosure prevents information hoarding and encourages open governance. The COVID-19 vaccination distribution process was made more transparent through RTI inquiries, leading to better public trust and oversight.

**4. Checks and Balances:

• RTI serves as a check on the abuse of power by providing a mechanism for the public to challenge and question decisions. Recent cases, such as the FIRs related to COVID-19 management, have demonstrated how RTI can be used to hold authorities accountable for their actions.

**5. Public Participation:

• By involving citizens in governance through access to information, the RTI Act enhances public participation in decision-making processes. This participatory approach strengthens democratic practices and ensures that government policies align with public interests.

In summary, the RTI Act not only empowers citizens but also redefines accountability by ensuring that public officials are transparent, answerable, and held responsible for their actions.