You have been a witness to and a part of a long phase of Indian politics. The kind of incidents that have been taking place in the present time clearly indicate that there is a strong threat to democracy in India. What is your opinion about this phase of politics?

Not only democracy but the entire Constitution is under threat. There is a threat to all the institutions. The country has never faced such kinds of threats. We should understand that the Constitution of India is the Constitution of a common and shared culture. It in itself is unprecedented that at this time when there is a lot of confusion in all the major institutions -CBI, EC, Reserve Bank, CVC, ED. Conditions have been created in which all these institutions are engaged in the Supreme Court setting aside all their work. The entire government machinery is now working through the Supreme Court. The developments in the CBI have made it clear how horrible and grim the situation is. Both the top officers of the CBI are now in court against each other. The entire system is busy in saving Asthana.

People are saying that both the officers were appointed by them. Now we must consider that both these officers are human beings and Indian citizens. How long will they suffer. Their conscience also pinches them. It can be seen in the case of Manish Kumar Sinha when he dared to go to court and make some serious revelations. He is openly speaking against the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. He is directly saying that the entire PMO, the law secretary and the Cabinet Secretary; that means the entire government is busy is saving Asthana. Now this is all before the public—if the PMO is trying so hard to save him, then why is it so? It is important to know that Asthana is the prime minister’s man. Why is there so much concern for saving a single bureaucrat? Is it because he knows all your sins and wrong doings? Has it ever happened before? Never.

