The Art of Corruption

The Art of Corruption

Ever since I was a young boy, I sensed within me a deep need for justice. And I have to admit, growing up with two younger siblings sure helped a lot. I was constantly reminded by my parents to be fair to them in everything. And while at times I had my own way (I’d better admit that because I am sure my siblings will eventually stumble across this article!), most of the time, I think I preferred to play the ‘enforcer’ role. To make sure everything was on even keel between the younger ones.

Growing up in a foreign Arab country, I was accustomed to hearing stories of the law’s prompt and sometimes ‘harsh bordering on the verge of brutal’ justice that was administered to anybody stepping out of line. Obviously neither civilian nor expatriate would even consider crossing the line of the law, unless of course they had some higher connection. But such you would expect of any country. Bahrain being quite modern, systematic and moderately-highly cultured, we almost never did come across any blatant corruption or twisting of the law, anywhere we went. And thus went by the first 15 years of my life.

Law – Indian Style

Moving to India at 16 opened my eyes to a whole new world of ‘vigilante’ corruption. Corruption was taken to a whole new level and perfected with such an art that you were almost prone to believing the average government clerk had some sort of ‘martial law’ power to take your money and not have to give you an explanation for it! I saw it all around me, from the town supermarket (with their over-inflated prices) to the local city court or police-station.

Everywhere I went I watched people getting ripped off, by public transport vehicle drivers (called autos), by the guy who door delivered gas cylinders and even by the government departments like the department of water, electricity or health. You would think that atleast the government officials would recognize their positions as ‘public servants’ and be faithful at what they did. Not so at all. The vice like tentacles of bribery and injustice spread long and deep into the highest and lowest levels of the judiciary and executive wings of State and Central government. ‘Connection’ was the key word in operation. The officer at the local electricity department had ties with the local police. The police had ties with a high court judge. The judge had ties with a high ranking minister of the ruling political party of the State. That minister had a high ranking ‘relative’ in the higher Central government of the nation. You can imagine your plight if the officer at the electricity department decided to hassle you some. And to avoid the whole pain of maneuvering through the ‘labyrinthine’ maze of bureaucracy, the poor citizen would slide a few currency notes in through the counter to the officer, who would then do you a ‘favor’ by solving your issue rather quickly with just a flick of his pen. It was amazing how that pen would appear suddenly when the money was presented. Magic pen maybe? Nope, the magic was in the money! But the story does not end there.