The immoral preachings of those who lack principles are deceiving society. Those who possess more visible wealth than legitimate income are telling stories of honesty and ethics. When the corrupt around us preach integrity, it’s hard for those suffering to align with their words and ways. If bribery and corruption could be eradicated from society, the country’s problems would be solved almost immediately. Yet, the system is held hostage by the dysfunctional system itself. The stories of clerks with hundreds of crores, bosses with houses and families abroad, are not unknown to the nation. However, for some unknown reason, the dishonest prevail. Mistakes are not detected in audits, or in secret meetings, all discrepancies are resolved. Ultimately, on Fridays, the imam snatches the microphone from the mosque’s pulpit and the corrupt person shouts sermons to the congregation about the rewards of the afterlife. To become the president of a gathering or to hold a special guest position at meetings, they donate large amounts of money. Those who have wealth can donate, but nowadays, even the religious leaders accept donations without knowing their source! Beautiful madrassas and temples are being built with money from interest and bribery.
Fathers are forgetting to question the source of their earned wealth. Wives are not asking their husbands about the source of their lavish lifestyle. Children do not ask their fathers how they suddenly accumulated such wealth in comparison to their income. Even the legal system has loopholes. These same fathers, wives, children, and friends are everywhere! Who doesn’t need money? Yet, if things continue this way, this country will not only fail to become a golden nation, but will also lose its livability over time. Inequality between corrupt, bribed individuals and ordinary laborers is growing in this country. The nation’s money is being illicitly siphoned off abroad. The government, people, and the state know who is doing this or who has the power to do so. Yet, poor farmers, despite knowing they won’t receive a fair price, are working tirelessly in the sun and rain to grow golden crops, while remittance workers, who work day and night, send foreign currency to the country. The value of their hard-earned money and how it’s underappreciated is evident in the country’s economic prosperity. Although Bangladesh has passed its 53rd year of independence, it remains trapped in the confines of third-world status.
Government employees earn less than the market rate. Corrupt individuals use this as an argument for bribery and corruption! In many cases, government salaries are compared to those in the private sector when determining wages. If wages are low, the state must be demanded to provide appropriate compensation. However, this does not justify making bribery legitimate. Wealth gained from bribery and corruption is directly forbidden. When the forbidden mixes with the lawful, the lawful becomes impure. The most dangerous aspect of the forbidden is that it reduces blessings in life and brings misfortune. Therefore, the most corrupt sectors must be identified and strict action taken to cleanse them. For every unit of corruption worth one dollar, the state suffers a loss of a thousand dollars. Bribery and corruption form a chain that spreads from the feet to the head of the state. Although corruption at the grassroots may be narrower, at the top it often spreads widely. However, if the leadership of an institution is healthy, it’s not difficult to fix minor issues at the lower levels. The corruption of a peon does not harm the state in the same way as the corruption of a prime minister.
To transform Bangladesh into a golden nation, the anti-bribery and anti-corruption movement must be accelerated. Those who enforce laws against bribery and corruption must first purify themselves. To promote ethical practices, religious observance should be increased in families and educational institutions. Unless the state officially declares a jihad against bribery and corruption, the decay of society will not stop. Society’s top figures must be held accountable through tax returns and asset declarations. Without strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), bribery and corruption cannot be controlled. Failure to implement the constitutional provisions on justice is shameful for policymakers. All civil servants must be under strict surveillance. Where corruption has already been identified in certain offices or institutions, cleansing operations should be carried out regularly. Those found guilty in such operations must be severely punished.
When corruption infests services and goods provided by the state for free, those who are deserving are deprived of their rights. If good people are identified and placed in key positions in the state, the extent of bribery and corruption will reduce. Those who illicitly transfer money abroad must be held accountable. If all illicit wealth is confiscated and distributed to the poor, a fair and just society can be created. To nurture the spirit of the July 24th revolution, there is no alternative to building an egalitarian society. In order to build a state structure aligned with the aspirations of the students and people, everyone must unite to curb bribery and corruption. Since bribery has long been identified as an obstacle to building a golden Bangladesh, there must be a public awakening to create a corruption-free society.
