German Education Minister Annette Schwinn posted her resignation to the Chancellor Angela Merkil on accusations that her thesis of Doctorate degree contained some parts which were based on forgery and taken from other sources and were not her own. Although these accusations were not proved and the minister also did not accept them, yet this small scandal was a reason good enough to resign from her post. This was the second resignation of its kind in the present German government. Before this, German defense minister also resigned from his post when similar allegations were made against him.

Both these resignations show a very healthy tradition of a democratic system of government when politicians resign even if there is a small accusation against them. In a number of cases, these accusations are found to be baseless but a mere accusation is taken defaming enough to leave the post. In her statement, Annette Schwinn has stated that she intends to try the accusations in the court of law but in order to save the government from pressure, she had taken this extreme decision. It is worth mentioning here that there was no pressure on her from her party or government and she could have continued her responsibilities by ignoring these accusations yet she decided to sustain the dignity of democracy.

It is worth mentioning here that a number of our politicians were accused of grabbing the government land very recently and similar allegations were also made in past as well. Instead of resigning from their posts, our politicians publicly and boldly defend their shameful acts and give lame excuses. With the increase in these scandals, our politicians are getting bold in grafting, using their posts illegally and other shameful acts. Recent report issued by the United Nation’s agency for corruption also verified the increasing trend of bribe-acceptance in government in which ministers and high officials have been termed to be the prime supporters of such illegal activities.

The above example leaves a good lesson to all our ministers and top officials of our government. It is needed that such a tradition of democratic practices should be promoted in our political system as well. On the other hand, the above example also shows the blessings of a healthy democratic system. No doubt, democracy is the best form of government but its true blessings can be acquired only if it is practiced with absolute vigilance and honesty.