Corruption in India – Some parallels with the history
Now let us go back to history to understand
the Psychology of a corrupt. Though the
story might sound mythological and lack evidence but still it draws parallel
with the current monarchs and rulers who are ruling us albeit in the shield of
democracy and constitution. In the year
326 B.C. Alexander was marching towards India, the land of opulence and
unexplored treasure. He first encountered King Ambi, who instead of showing
resistance to the unwanted infiltrator chose to be submissive and became a
vassal of him. His next encounter was at the Jhelum river with King Puru who
declined his superiority and chose to be contumacious. Though he was defeated
in the battle, he never ran or surrendered. Alexander was impressed by his
tenacity and fearlessness. When brought
before Alexander, he was asked for his wishes and expectations. Puru told
Alexander that he wanted to be treated like a King. Alexander asked him to be
elaborate on this but he said that the one line he said is enough. Alexander
was so impressed he actually treated him like a king. He gave back his kingdom
along with some more land from his previous victories. This treatment melted
Puru emotionally; he became the loyal partisan of Alexander. Many other people
under his rule accepted the supremacy of the Greek Empire. An invader is an
invader and supporting him when he is going to destroy and loot the country is
a sin. But in this case Puru clearly demonstrated that a human being shows
signs of detachment from the well accepted principles and ethics when huge
personal gains are put into the equation.
Consider the current scenario. The Genesis
of the ruling party is the dynasty politics. Dynasty politics, coupled with
some of the most unfortunate events in the late 80’s resulted in an unintended enforced
regime, which by the face of it is not an authoritarian one but it becomes one
when democracy and its values are misused. Today merit has no place in our ruling party
or any party for that matter. Look at the obsequiousness of the politicians. Irrespective of the gravity of the corruption,
they will never call a spade a spade and will keep on repeating the concocted
stories and irresponsible arguments to hide the shameful acts of their masters.
Who will guard the guards?
This question becomes all relevant when
everything is in the hand of the politicians. They are the policymakers and it
is all but natural for them to make the best policies for them and reject the
one’s which might bring slightest of the inconvenience to them. Thus they will
sing together in one tone and will show their exuberance by thumping tables in
the parliament when bill for increase in the MP’s salary is announced. On the
contrary they will tear apart the anti corruption bills like the Lokpal.
Becoming an MP is such a feast for the
politician that he will not relinquish his position no matter if he gets a call
from his age, conscience or most importantly the people who have sent him there
with a selfless purpose to serve them.
Recently one of the highest ranking ministers of the country visited a
college with his huge entourage. The college ground was destroyed to make a
helipad for him. And if that was not enough, he denied walking from the helipad
to the nearest exit which was just 30-50 meters. To accommodate his wishes a
small road was dug from the helipad to the exit so that his high end Mercedes
can reach the door of the chopper and he does not sweat or feel a pinch of
heat. From there he was taken to the air conditioned hall where he was supposed
to recite a speech. He had special commandos working for him like his servants.
He could not settle in the chair, he could not pour water in his glass; he
could not carry the piece of paper carrying his rehearsed speech to the
microphone. For everything there was the servant or the commando or whatever
you may call it.
This is just a page from their super
luxurious lives which ends only with their demise and till then they continue
to get themselves pampered on the tax payer’s money.
So when the question of parting with this
lifestyle or to continue to serve their masters like a sycophant comes, they
always chose the latter. One of the ministers of the ruling party admitted this
in front of the camera. When asked if he
is the minister of the country or the minister of his party? He lost his cool
and left the discussion midway. The sane thing for him from the political point
of view was to recite some soft words for the country without compromising on
his sycophant adrenaline gush. Such was
the level of catharsis and love for his political demi Gods, he chose to ignore
the important question on the responsibility as a minister he has for his
country and its citizen. He bluntly said, “We will do everything to teach
lessons to the clunks who try to malign the name of the best people of this
country.” He further added that he is ready to die for his Political masters
because they are the reason for his existence and not the ordinary citizen.
Sorry Mr. Minister but you have got it wrong. You are not there because of your
leadership. You are there because the people of this country had voted for this
party. You should be ready to die for the people of the country and not the deified
mortals you have discovered in your leadership.
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