Dear Dr K,
Why is corruption so rampant in India? Are Indians hardwired to be corrupt? What can we do to rid our country of corruption once and for all?
— Viji Lance
Dear Viji,
It is true that there is quite a lot of corruption in India. One statistic says that one-third of all Indians are absolutely corrupt, one-sixth absolutely incorruptible, and the rest somewhere in between. Large-scale cases of corruption are discovered on an almost daily basis, yet splashing these stories on the front pages of newspapers seems to have little effect on reducing the corruption in our country.
Why is this so? The explanation that Indians are hardwired to be corrupt is not an unusual one — some say it is ingrained in our race. But it would be foolish to think that all Indians belong to one race, and even if we were to
assume that, it doesn’t explain why people of Indian origin in other countries aren’t as corrupt as we are.
The only other conclusion that remains is that the reasons for corruption in India must be cultural. After all, it’s not as if corruption has suddenly appeared out of the blue: it has been around for quite a while now and has been passed down from generation to generation. While the media cries itself hoarse calling for the blood of corrupt officials, the relative silence and lack of outrage among the majority of the population might be an indication that there is a growing acceptance of corruption in our country.
Yes, there is no denying it, corruption is a part of our national heritage, and we must all move towards realising and accepting that fact. When one-third of the Indian population is absolutely corrupt, who has the right to deny these people their identity?
Although Indians are known for their cultural diversity, we are occasionally a little slow at recognising and giving certain cultures their due status. And yet, despite the daily hue and cry that is made about corruption, the implicit tolerance that most of us afford it speaks volumes about how inclusive a people we really are.
True, most individuals tend to be highly secretive about their corrupt dealings, but this is not out of personal guilt, it is out of fear of being discriminated against and being prosecuted under draconian laws. The time has come to change the laws and the attitude of the media that discriminate against corrupt individuals on a daily basis. Legalise corruption, so that corrupt individuals may declare themselves to be so and walk with their heads held high.
We must shed the attitude that we need to rid our country of corruption once and for all. It stinks of intolerance and disrespect for brave individuals who have flouted rules and resorted to unfair means for their personal
advancement. Let us create a national museum of corruption, honouring our nation’s long-standing tradition of bribery, scams, and scandals, from the
Bofors Scam to the 2G spectrum scam to Dr Q’s Rotten Banana Scandal (currently under production).
But for all this to happen, the corrupt community needs to start being more vocal and demanding the rights it deserves. Before the corrupt earn the respect of others, they need to respect themselves and come out into the open.
Let me be the one to set an example: I openly admit, without shame, that I was paid to give this answer by a certain secret NGO for corrupt officials. Let me not name them; when the time comes, they will name themselves.
Yours questionably,
Dr K
Kaushik is a student of humanities at an engineering college. He blogs at
www.nonsenseofkaushik.blogspot.com.
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