A morally sound individual does not need to fear law and punishment
Recently, the whole nation went agog in shock while watching the scenes of bundles of cash currency coming out from the basement of the residence of a government servant from a northwest Indian state. We all know that the issue of corruption has stirred up numerous debates and agitations and attracted extensive coverage in the mass media over the past few years. It is also a well-known fact that in many countries taking and giving bribes, financial scams and misuse of public money have become a norm.
It has been a kind of tradition for every government coming to power, to introduce various legislative proposals to root out bribery, pass Bills to check corruption in government purchases and monitor the working of various ministries and independent regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and fair work culture. But! We all know that no number of laws will be able to arrest corruption as has been the experience so far. Reason? Already a plethora of legislation exists but when it comes to their implementation, there comes a big question mark. This is so because the implementing agencies also consist of such humans who could be taken over by greed just like those who they are expected to monitor. The growing frenzy for acquiring more and more wealth by any means is born out of the illusion that money can buy anything – respect, love, even peace and happiness.
This belief has found favour with most over the years and materialism has eroded people's faith in moral and spiritual values. There is no doubt about the fact that our standards of living may have risen, but standards of life have taken a nosedive. Today, simple living and high thinking have become a thing of the past and luxurious living and low thinking are the order of the day. The media and the advertising industry are further making this mirage look so life-like by glamorising a money-driven lifestyle.
As a result of this, people are keeping more and more of their inner selves at stake to consume more and more from outside, fearing that they might otherwise be left behind. A corrupt government servant and a citizen have one thing in common - overwhelmed by greed they both bypass their conscience first before bypassing the laws of the land. Whereas, a morally sound individual, on the other hand, does not need to fear law and punishment to refrain from an act detrimental to society. He abstains from wrongdoing simply because he is obedient to his inner call. Hence, we as a civil society should understand one thing very clearly there is no magic wand to root out corruption. However, what we need urgently is a dedicated strategy to rebuild the conscience of the country. And it can only be done by imparting moral values in individuals through the education system and the media. Along with this, the government can also work in collaboration with reputed NGOs who are already involved in the process of character building. It is only when we weed out moral corruption from within individuals and emerge their spiritual values, our mass campaign against corruption will bear fruit. Otherwise, though laws might be able to snub it, the monster of corruption will keep resurrecting again and again.
(Writer is a spiritual educator & popular columnist for publications across India, Nepal & UK)
