H.2.a. Analysing Corruption in Indian Politics and Civil Society Responses

Volume Two -> H. Campaigns Against Government -> H.2. Campaigns for Transparency and Against Corruption: India since 1990 -> H.2.a. Analysing Corruption in Indian Politics and Civil Society Responses

This sub-section gives references for the role of civil society bodies, and in particular the work of the radical Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (Association for the Empowerment of Workers and Farmers), which waged a campaign including direct action in the state of Rajasthan in the 1990s for a Right to Information Act. This Act became law in Rajasthan in January 2001. The MKSS encouraged campaigns in other parts of India, and a national Right to Information Act was passed in 2005. The Act now provides a basis for campaigners to seek out examples of corruption.

Jenkins, Rob Civil Society versus Corruption in India, In Larry Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, Sumit Ganguly, The State of India's Democracy, Baltimore MD, John Hopkins University Press, 2007 , pp. 264 , pp. 161-167

Jenkins, Rob Democracy, Development and India’s Struggle Against Corruption, Vol. 3, issue 3 (Sep-Dec), 2006 , pp. 155-163

Jenkins, Rob; Goetz, Anne Accounts and Accountability: Theoretical Implications of the Right-to-Information Movement in India, Vol. 20, issue 3, 1999 , pp. 603-622

Examination of the grass roots work of the MKSS in developing campaign for right to information as part of their wider campaigning and their use of jan sunwals (public hearings) in communities where official documents regarding public works, anti-poverty programmes etc. are read out and people are encouraged to add their own testimony about diversion of funds and fraud. The article also covers the MKSS use of public protest, such as a 52 day sit-in in the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, in 1997. See also:  2005 Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Right to Information. State Level: Rajasthan, 2005 2005 . Brief elaboration and update on work of MKSS and Right to Information Acts up to 2005.
Kumar, Raj Corruption and Human Rights in India: Comparative Perspectives on Transparency and Good Governance, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2011 , pp. 234

Analyzes corruption as a violation of human rights and proposes a multi-pronged approach to tackling corruption, including a greater role for civil society. A postscript takes account of the 2011 Anna Hazare movement against corruption.
Webb, Martin Disciplining the Everyday State and Society? Anti-Corruption and Right to Information Activism in Delhi, Vol. 47, issue 5, 2013 , pp. 363-393

On use of legal mechanisms under the 2005 Right to Information Act by anti-corruption and right to information groups.

Websites recommended

Accounts and Accountability: Theoretical Implications of the Right-to-Information Movement in India , 1999

Examination of the grass roots work of the MKSS in developing campaign for right to information as part of their wider campaigning and their use of jan sunwals (public hearings) in communities where official documents regarding public works, anti-poverty programmes etc. are read out and people are encouraged to add their own testimony about diversion of funds and fraud. The article also covers the MKSS use of public protest, such as a 52 day sit-in in the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, in 1997. See also:  2005 Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Right to Information. State Level: Rajasthan, 2005 2005 . Brief elaboration and update on work of MKSS and Right to Information Acts up to 2005.
Civil Society versus Corruption in India Baltimore MD John Hopkins University Press, 2007
Corruption and Human Rights in India: Comparative Perspectives on Transparency and Good Governance New Delhi Oxford University Press, 2011

Analyzes corruption as a violation of human rights and proposes a multi-pronged approach to tackling corruption, including a greater role for civil society. A postscript takes account of the 2011 Anna Hazare movement against corruption.
Democracy, Development and India’s Struggle Against Corruption , 2006
Disciplining the Everyday State and Society? Anti-Corruption and Right to Information Activism in Delhi , 2013

On use of legal mechanisms under the 2005 Right to Information Act by anti-corruption and right to information groups.