The larger malaise is we ourselves. The richest and the fanciest homes in India serve cocaine as exotic canapes and there is nothing we can do about it. They have protection only until they make a mistake. Which is what I find so tragic. Why must the system react only when it collapses? Why must we know about the Rahul Mahajans and their secretaries only when they froth at the mouth? Why must the hospitals only be honest when an alert media shows them up for what they are? Why must a Vajpayee then condone this by saying everyone makes a mistake? The system itself is rotten.

There is no question in mind about the rampant complicity that exists and to weed that out you need courage and you do need a couple of deaths. You need to amend the law, which I don’t think will ever happen, since Parliament is busy sorting out quotas. You need demonstrable deterrent punishment and this again will never happen, since very few in this country amongst those who govern us, actually have homes from where they can throw stones! I have earlier argued for the death sentence as far as drugs are concerned. I believe we must follow the example of Thailand and Singapore because the problems in our country are much worse when it comes to both demand and supply. Several years ago, a high-profile fashion designer and some rich industrialist kids were named post a drug raid by the police. But nothing happened. Society welcomed them back as if they had just beaten Roger Bannister in the heats. This is where societal influences work against the betterment of society itself.

... contd.