brad brace contemporary culture scrapbook

CORRUPTION is talk of the town in Bangladesh now. It is not only a vice in Bangladesh but also in other countries of the world. But there are differences in the forms and results of corruption in different countries. A few specialists on corruption regard it as supportive to development. Corruption may have some positive sides; yet no one likes it.
Experts like Dobby, Boskof and Pindeliton say; “By corruption, we generally mean the behaviour of persons in responsible positions who betray the substantial trust normally assigned to those positions.” Renowned personality of Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Sirajul Islam says, “Corruption is one kind of crime but all crime is not corruption — abuse of power, opportunities, etc., is also related with corruption.”
Corruption is like a contagious disease. Man adopts different ways and policies to get established in life. Everyone tries to dominate in his own field — social or political sector. If there is no definite policy in regulating day to day life, man doesn’t hesitate to adopt any illegal means. Man needs a moral principle to lead his life. Man can gradually establish himself by following that moral principle. If there is no moral principle before a man, it becomes very easy for him to do any illegal thing. To do any unlawful thing that man adopts corrupt ways. Religious faith and moral values can keep a man free from corruption.
Corruption is taking place not only in Bangladesh but also in developed and other non-developed countries of the world. The nature and causes of corruption are almost similar everywhere. But there is difference in its forms in developed and underdeveloped countries. Its negative impact in a developed country is not as bad as it is in a developing one like ours. Ordinary people suffer a lot due to it in developing country like ours. But it is not the same in developed countries.
Corruption has gradually increased in this country after the independence. Politics is one of the notable sectors that corruption has seriously invaded. There is lack of transparency in the activities of political parties of Bangladesh. The condition reminds us one of the proverbs: “A person having no principle enters into politics”. It has become literally true in this country. Corruption is increasing here not only due to lack of transparency but also because of poor practice of democracy within the political parties. Grab power by winning votes on giving false hope to the people is the philosophy of the political parties the use of politics for personal interest by government officials, taking advantage of bad politics to adopt unfair means are the signs of corruption. If this vice has seriously invaded its political arena, the country concerned will never turn into a developed one.
Negligence in administrative jobs, failure to perform the duties properly, receiving bribe and misappropriation of government money are also the signs of corruption. Poor salary of government officials, discrimination in promotion, absence of appreciation for honesty and punishment for misdeeds also help increase in corruption and inefficiency in the administration.
Social corruption is being spread by social organisations. Lack of trust between family members, corruption in educational institutions and involvement in different anti-social activities by social organisations increase social corruption. Social fraternity is being hampered as the social organisations are becoming increasingly corrupt. Religious belief of the people of our country is very high. The Muslims, the Buddhists, the Christians and the Hindus along with some tribes are living together here. So a large number of saints, religious scholars and mosques, temples etc., are there in this country. For this, sometimes religions can be easily misused.
Different unlawful activities in the name of religion are same as anti-social activities. Business in the name of religion, cheating people using the cover of religion, using religion for personal and party interests are among corrupt practices under the garb of religion. To cheat one and use someone in own interests are instances of personal corruption. Receiving money from others in the name of giving jobs or freeing from danger is also corruption at individual level.
There are different reasons behind corruption in Bangladesh.
Shrewdness and corruption were spread by the British who were in our society as the colonialists. This sub-continent was ruled by them for a long period. Before independence of Bangladesh, corruption of the then West Pakistanis in the then East Pakistan helped increase corruption in the society. Corruption is still present in Bangladesh in the spheres of trade and commerce and construction of economic infrastructure and in the inclination to use politics for own interest.
Since independence, most of those who ruled the country were corrupt. The absence of honest, courageous leadership to guide a nation is the major cause of increase in corruption. The youths of the country cannot meaningfully participate in the development of the country for want of honest and dedicated leadership.
The political conditions and infrastructure positions of political parties of Bangladesh help in increasing corruption. Less meritorious people are actively involved in student politics and the quality of national politics has been deteriorating due to less participation of meritorious people in it. As a result, they have become corrupt in spite of leading the society. So corruption-free political parties are essentials for a fair administration.
Corruption has increased in the society due to inappropriate and inadequate application of law. There is no effective step to protest crime. No activities are there to protest and remove corruption in Bangladesh. It is not easy to take action against corrupt government officials. So they are being encouraged towards greater corruption.
One of the reasons for the increase of corruption in our country is that the newspapers and electronic media have failed to perform their duties accurately. Telecast of advertisements of different fake products, which are also put up in other media, helps spread corruption. Sometimes different obscene dramas and films are also shown in the media, which are also stimulate for increased corruption. On the other hand, media do not put up any programme against corruption. Corruption has increased due to a kind of passive positive attitude of media towards corruption.
There is no doubt that corruption is an immense problem. We all should try to control it. To control this spreading vice we may adopt some measures. Responsibility alone does not lie with the government for controlling corruption. Everyone should be conscious about its ill effects. Everyone should take oath that he or she would remain free from corruption.
All the political leaders and workers should promise to lead a corruption-free life. Because, self-correction is the first step for prevention of corruption.
Prevention of corruption should be included in the manifestoes of the political parties and this motto should form part of the a culture in regular activities of all political parties. It should be treated as a social disease. All the parties should try to increase awareness about the need for prevention of corruption by them and among them. Honest and sincere persons should be given the opportunity for providing leadership.
The examples of morality, social service, knowledge and wisdom of corruption-free men and women should be included in the curricula in all phases of education. Corruption is unfair and it is harmful to the society — this learning should be implanted in the mind of students. In this regard, religious education should be given priority.
Corruption-free administration is vital for eradication of corruption. If the administration is not free from this vice, it is not possible to eliminate it from the society. A good administration depends on the honesty and sincerity of the employees. So honest and sincere employees should be appointed to ensure corruption-free government. Effective measures should be taken to prevent their moral erosion. At the same time arrangement should be made to take legal and administrative actions against injustices and corruption to raise a good administration.
To prevent corruption we really need an efficient anti-corruption apparatus. It should be free from political influence and have opportunities to work independently. Officials in this apparatus should be appointed carefully. Otherwise, corruption will increase rather than decrease. Activities of recently formed Anti-Corruption Commission should be upgraded and made more effective. Everyone is disappointed with the limited activities of this body.
There is a proverb: “Necessity knows no law.” If the government employees cannot lead a normal happy life with their income, they may then adopt unfair means. So, wages should be consistent with market prices of daily necessities. If there is no want, people will not try to take shelter of corruption. Suitable remuneration could be an effective measure for control of corruption.
A social movement against corruption should be initiated with the help of all political, social and cultural organisations. Media also could help it by putting up programmes against corruption. This initiative should come from both public and private sectors. Media could play a vital role in this regard. We have seen in the past and at present also that whenever media — particularly Television channels telecast a few series of programmes on any anti-social actively, it can be discouraged and stopped.
An independent law department is essential for the prevention of corruption. Though initiatives have been taken for this, there is no positive result yet. Good governance could be ensured as well as corruption will decrease if those relate to courts and lawyers could perform their duties independently. But they must be honest and sincere in performing their jobs.
Indeed, we could proceed to build up a corruption-free society by utilising some serious research work on corruption by social researcher. For this we need a decision, an oath to the effect that each of us will never do any corruption and would not encourage or help others in doing it.