Common parlance has every gubernatorial appointment being hailed as someone being “elevated” to that exalted position, in the Indian system at least. And the use of that term implies that every such appointee raises her or his personal conduct to a standard worthy of high office. That, alas, no longer holds true with the result that Governors have frequently been slammed as “agents” of the Central government, their decisions questioned or overturned by the courts, and in some political quarters demands are even made to junk the institution itself.

The quality of the appointees, like most Indian political practices has steadily deteriorated, regardless of the party in power and most Raj Bhawans now act in accordance with diktat from Raisina Hill: with it now being customary that Governors ensure what the ruling party could not attain courtesy the ballot box. One norm, however, that has persisted is that Governors ~ as distinct from Lieutenant-Governors ~ do not seek media attention, and avoid being dragged into the political punch-ups.

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That nicety was probably too good to last, and the first politician in decades to be elevated to the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar/Jammu is repeatedly exhibiting a common trait among less-than-successful politicians: publicity-hunting. Even if the result triggers all-round embarrassment. Other Governors have probably committed acts for which they feel a degree of guilt and shame, yet have remained aloof from the consequent political storm ~ Mr Satya Pal Malik came up with specious reasoning for his decision to dissolve the J&K Assembly.

And when that only fuelled the controversy he let the proverbial cat out the bag. His declaration that he had taken New Delhi’s advice (read the NDA’s advice) he would have appointed Sajjid Lone the new chief minister only confirms rampant suspicions.

Not content with having attempted to explain his actions, Malik proceeds to garner public sympathy by suggesting his head was on the chopping block. The institution of Governor has never been denigrated thus ~ and it is of trivial consequence if he continues in office or is transferred. The damage has been done, some of it self-inflicted, and all Raj Bhawans now stand smeared.

At the root of the trouble is the government’s scant respect for most institutions of the democracy. The Central Bureau of Investigation has collapsed under the weight of politically-induced appointments, the Reserve Bank has been in trouble, as have been a host of universities, regulatory bodies etc.

The judiciary is waging a battle for independence, the apolitical character of the military has been compromised. Why, even the President of India had to flex muscle against a cheeky minister who thought a penchant for Rahul-bashing gave her carte blanche. “Start-ups” is a favourite buzzword of economy-watchers, their political counterparts are now prone to talk of an abundance of upstarts.