Corruption is a major issue in India that causes public outrage, but attitudes towards corruption may be more complex. While Indians say they want a corruption-free society and see corrupt officials as parasites, in practice people often defer to those they know are corrupt if they hold power. Politicians accuse each other of corruption for appearances, but their relationships remain friendly. The recent marriage of children from two powerful political families demonstrated this, as top officials attended despite the bride's father being a convicted corrupt official still appealing his case. Their presence suggests corruption convictions are a small issue compared to political connections.

1. Blog by Deepak Gajria
Corruption Free(ly in) India
Corruption from time to time takes centre stage in India. By and large every Indian
gets agitated about corruption at such occasions and we wish for a corruption free
India. We all feel that corrupts are parasites sucking the blood of society and need to
be punished and humiliated.
But do we really feel the way we think we feel. Do we really think corrupts are enemy
of society. Look around we bend before the people we know for sure are corrupt. As
a society we worship power and do not care for means but the ends. In such an
environment a corrupt is not apologetic about his deeds but in fact proud of his
achievements.
Political class as a whole is not seen in good light. Not only general public but even
politicians trade charges against each other. But no, they just have friendly leg
pulling.
Nothing demonstrates this better than the recent most talked of marriage of scions
from two powerful political families. Marriage is always a happy occasion and we
should open heartedly bless the couple. But what if the father of bride happens to be
a convict on corruption charges out on bail? We would feel that with our strong
feelings against corruption, most of us will keep away from function or make a brief
appearance just to bless the couple.
The fact is Lalu Prasad Yadav has been sentenced to five year in prison by a
competent court for his involvement in fodder scam and has been disqualified to
contest any election. We would expect that persons holding high public offices would
not like to be seen in a family function hosted by such person irrespective of their
personal equations. It sends a wrong message to people around. There is a certain
dignity attached to high offices and if President and Prime minister show their
bonhomie with Lalu, it clearly shows that nothing is lost by merely a jail term
pronounced by a court. The political solidarity is beyond such small irritants and that
in the end the story will have a happy end with all powerful connections. Is it only a
coincidence that Kejriwal was not one of the invitee?