Few would deny that India is suffering from a silent and deadly crisis that shows little evidence of abating. The cancer of corruption has reached fatal proportions. The collapse of governance endangers democracy and the basic rule of law. The stage managed clashes in Parliament between the government and the opposition destroy all hope of deliverance from this crisis by politicians. Across the board politicians make the appropriate noises befitting their respective roles. But their actions betray full contentment with the status quo. They want above all to complete their full terms in the House. From where then might ordinary citizens expect deliverance? 

It is unrealistic, and also undesirable, to expect a population attuned to democratic elections to take to the streets and compel change. Change can come only from the elite that rule the nation. But from among the ruling elite the politicians undoubtedly comprise the worst segment. The better segments exist within the bureaucracy, the armed forces and the judiciary. Undoubtedly there are black sheep in all these three segments too. But the majority remains untainted. The fault of this majority lies mainly in playing a passive role and refusing to confront the few black sheep that smirch the reputation of an entire institution. 

Well, things can change. Things are changing. Chief Justice of India , Justice Kapadia, is utilizing all the constitutional powers at his command to initiate reform. Slowly but surely the efforts of the Supreme Court are bearing results. But those minimal results will not suffice. The time has come for the passive majority among the bureaucrats to also play their role. More and more bureaucrats are getting sick of the excesses committed by politicians. It is time for the honest among them who constitute the vast majority to take a stand. They need to remind themselves of what Jayaprakash Narain advised the officials of India to do. That advice was deliberately and shamelessly distorted by the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi to justify the illegal and treasonable imposition of Emergency.

To oppose the corrupt acts of the Indira Gandhi government JP simply urged government officials to obey only legal orders of their superiors. He urged them to disobey all illegal orders. One believes that if that advice is taken to heart by the bulk of the honest officials who man the administration the nefarious designs of the corrupt political class will be thwarted. India would reclaim governance. Indian democracy would be reformed. Any illegal or improper orders by politicians should not be accepted by officials if issued orally. The officials must insist upon written orders. Illegal orders in writing should be at first refused. Subsequently if insisted upon by higher authority the orders must be followed only after recording explicit dissent on the files. 

If the vast majority of honest bureaucrats were to unite and follow this advice corruption would end and governance would be restored. One is aware that it would not be easy to follow this advice. Politicians could transfer officials, destabilize the education of their children, harass them in other ways, and even register false cases against them.

Officials with family responsibility cannot easily take on their corrupt political masters. The venal political class that rules us is capable of anything. Nevertheless those who are honest would be sustained by inner conviction and courage if they make a firm resolve.
To meet the crisis in India sacrifice and courage are needed. The bureaucrats must summon such courage. India and history depend on them. If they act India will achieve its unique version of the Jasmine Revolution.