Combating corruption

While welcoming the move and wishing the drive resounding success, I feel tempted to quote The Daily Star editorial of 26th March, 2006: "But to publicise the new move the way it has been done, albeit with some tactless gusto, could only lead to alerting its likely targets to lie low and refrain from going about their usual business smelling danger in the air. The success of any such drive is basically dependent on an element of surprise and secrecy with which it is commenced in the first place, let alone how discretely it is conducted on the whole. Making announcements in advance may prove self-defeating. What the drive needs is more bite than bark".

Few days back a USAID official expressed his disagreement with the Transparency International's finding that Bangladesh tops the list of the most corrupt countries in the world. It is at least soothing to hear such a comment from a foreigner. But, should it lessen our compunction? Though he wanted to discourage corrupting tendencies, the corrupt ones in the country are very likely to be heartened by his remark. And therein lies the danger.

A good number of our ministers have a tendency to express dissatisfaction with the finding as well as the eligibility of the Transparency International. This is not to claim that Transparency International is impeccable. But, is it producing the corruption index every year to tarnish the image of the countries or to dissuade them from being increasingly corrupt? Is it really liable for exaggeration of our corruption scenario? Which public services can be obtained in Bangladesh without offering something in the form of bribe, speed money, donation and so on? Can we really get even our fair things done without greasing the incumbents?

Corruption has become a national malady to say the least. It has become rather cancerous. People are indulging in corruption for variety of reasons such as, getting both ends meet; keeping pace with the time; maintaining social status and so on. Some are even being forced into it against their will. Most of them have, however, set rationale -- concocted though, in most cases -- for their involvement in corruption. Some are, however, being involved in corruption with both religious attires and rituals on. In this regard, I deem it necessary to quote former Comptroller and Auditor General Hafizuddin Khan (The Daily Star, 10th March, 2006): "Corruption in the Madrasha Education Board is even more. Even Madrasha students appear to resort to copying in examinations".

Regarding Madrasha Board corruption, a Madrasha teacher informed me rather a riveting story. As he went there for some works done, specific time for the scheduled prayers approached. As the time for the prayers was nearing, the official asked the teacher to hand over whatever he was to offer or else he might be late for prayers. While asked about the sin of taking bribes, the official replied in the following manner: "Do you want me to commit double sins?" I think the readers have realised what the double sins are. Yes, one is taking bribe and another one is failure in saying the prayers at the scheduled time. Meanwhile, while asked about the offence of copying in the examinations, a Madrasha student rather surprised me with the answer: "If I do not adopt copying, I might err in citing the holy Quran which will be a greater sin than copying". A cogent reply, isn't it? I do not claim the responses are generalised but they are at least reflective of the mindsets of the corrupt people -- of course, not all -- of the community.

My intention to refer to the cases of Madrasha is not to defame Madrasha education but to point to our very badly exposed religious hypocrisy. Though many in the country are thoroughly immersed in corruption and corruption by anybody -- believer or non-believer --cannot be justified by any stretch of the imagination, some people are resorting to it while being masqueraded as religious and thus denigrating the religion. To what extent is, then, religion effective in thwarting corruption? To me, however, religion can deter corrupt practices to a degree provided that the religious values are adhered to in spirit, not in words only.

We have, in fact, a very strong lineage insofar as corruption is concerned. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman blamed the educated few of Bangladesh for imposing corruption on the innocent people. He even had to express dismay at the corruption of his near and dear ones. Though former President Ziaur Rahman was famous for his honesty, he was said to have been rather soft towards corruption of his colleagues. A former military dictator declared Jihad (holy war) against corruption and the readers know pretty well where the country landed up in his tenure in terms of corruption.

Institutional means to curbing corruption is indeed a good initiative. But, I think mental purification should precede institutional arrangements. And it would have to be ensued from the top. To send corruption packing, it is the policy makers at the helm of the country -- no matter which the political party or combine is -- who will have to show the way in the first place. Who will dare to entertain the idea of corruption if the big guns call it a day?

Kazi S.M. Khasrul Alam Quddusi is Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.