Islamabad, Allegations of ingrained corruption within Indian institutions continue to garner attention, with claims suggesting unchecked financial wrongdoings, potentially even endorsed by the government. The Kashmir Media Service points out that the Indian Association for Democratic Reforms, in its assessment, declares corruption to be entrenched and possibly driven by legislators, Members of Parliament, and political figures.
According to News Release by Kashmir Media Service, In the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) presented by Transparency International, India ranked 85 out of 180 nations. This index gauges the public’s perception of corruption within their respective countries’ public sectors. The 2021 CPI report shed light on potential dangers faced by journalists and activists at the hands of varying threats, from the police to local corrupt officials. Moreover, the document also noted that organizations critical of the government often face a range of charges and potential restrictions on foreign contributions.
The current leadership under Narendra Modi has been criticized for purportedly favouring certain business groups. A prime example cited is the Adani group, which has been under scrutiny since Hindenburg Research published a report earlier this year, alleging the conglomerate of long-standing fraudulent activities and stock price manipulation.
Various reports underscore the prominence of corruption, particularly involving influential figures in politics, business, and the military. Data suggest a significant wealth disparity in India, with 1% of the populace possessing 58.4% of the nation’s wealth. Further accentuating these concerns, the Indian Enforcement Directorate recently arrested Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyai in connection with a significant bank fraud case. Numerous international and local reports, including the Oxfam Report, Hindenburg Report, CPI, Crony Capitalism Index, and the Economic Freedom Index, have consistently brought attention to growing corruption and economic disparities in 2023.