Recently, a chapter in the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook regarding corruption within the judiciary caused quite a stir across the country. After finding itself in the crosshairs of the judicial system, NCERT issued a public apology and announced the complete withdrawal of the book. This reminds me of a story I read in primary school back in the late sixties—a tale that, for many of us, was our first introduction to the concept of “bribery.”
The story went like this: A monkey kept destroying the nest of a poor black-headed oriole. Distraught, the bird appealed to the community elder, a bear. After hearing both sides and examining the evidence, the bear found the monkey guilty and ordered him to leave the area. However, dissatisfied with the verdict, the monkey stood before the judge and said, “Sir, your judgment is flawed. You have judged with your eyes, but did you look behind you?”
When the bear turned around, he saw a large, ripe jackfruit placed behind his chair. The bear’s mouth watered, and his judgment shifted instantly. “Well,” the bear declared, “if the monkey plays on that branch, aren’t there other branches? It isn’t right for the oriole to keep building its nest on that specific spot.” Thus, the decree was changed.
Even in childhood, we were taught the bitter fruits of corruption. Today, it has woven itself into the very fabric of our lives, often imperceptibly. Frequently, both the giver and the taker are satisfied, so no complaint is ever lodged. I recall how, back in 1908, one had to walk miles to find a Gazetted Officer; back then, people would pay ten rupees just to avoid a “Dandabij” (arrest). Why would anyone speak up?
Even today, a government official might take four crores in bribes without a whisper of dissent because everyone involved is “happy.” It is only when a smaller bribe—say, forty thousand rupees—leaves a party dissatisfied that the official ends up in jail.
Corruption weakens the very foundation of society. Put simply, it is the adoption of unjust or unethical means to serve one’s own interests. It stands as a massive barrier to India’s progress, damaging both our economy and our social fabric. While there are many reasons for its growth, it is not wrong to call it a psychological malaise. It is more than just a practice; it is a mindset that has permeated everywhere. To eradicate it, transparency and accountability are required in every department.
In India, corruption isn’t limited to bribery. It manifests in various forms: Nepotism (granting jobs or favors to unqualified relatives), Black Marketing (hoarding essential goods to sell at inflated prices), and Tax Evasion. Then there is Electoral Corruption—the distribution of cash or liquor for votes—which stains our democracy. Ultimately, it is the poor who suffer the most.
Corruption is widespread across all sectors. In Administration, complaints usually involve demands for money to process licenses, land records, or certificates, or the embezzlement of welfare funds by middlemen. The Political Sphere is often called the “Gangotri” (the source) of corruption, where policies are manipulated to win votes or award massive government contracts to favorites. Most concerning is corruption in Education and Healthcare, where massive “donations” are demanded for seats in medical or engineering colleges, and jobs are sold to the highest bidder rather than the most qualified.
As for the Judiciary—everyone knows the state of affairs, though few dare to speak of it. I leave that to your own judgment.
Corruption breeds inequality. The deserving are deprived of their rights while the undeserving climb the ladder through the power of money. This hampers the development of education, health, and infrastructure. India currently sits in the middle of the global Corruption Perception Index, which is a matter of grave concern.
Ending corruption is not the government’s job alone; it requires the cooperation of the public. While empowering institutions like the ‘Lokpal’ and ‘Lokayukta’ to strictly punish the guilty can help, the root cause must be addressed. If we are to build India into a strong, developed nation, we must uproot corruption entirely. If every citizen takes a pledge—”I will neither give nor take a bribe”—only then can India truly become a corruption-free nation.
Pramod Kumar Dhal
He is best described as a social commentator, grassroots observer and an author and social critic whose commentary focuses on judicial integrity, administrative reform, and the protection of the common citizen’s rights. A dynamic wildlife photographer who has made significant contributions to avian conservation with the book, “The Birds of Orissa: A Pictorial Encyclopedia” that got him the Sambad Parivesh Samman Award. He is from Kendrapara district of Odisha and can be contacted on +91.7008810112.
