In Lighter Vein: Coexistence of corruption and democracy

There is nothing to wonder about the symbioticism of corruption and democracy. In fact, a democracy is the melting pot of corruption, that is why corruption is quite democratic in its functioning and approach. Corruption makes no distinction or discrimination on any grounds whatsoever. Money is the only criterion. One has to donate for smooth functioning of the institution. It is proportionate to the objective in sight. Thus it seems that the spirit of proportional representation motivates in a corruptive culture. Corruption is a sort of NGO having an unannounced licence for functioning freely and thus having a respectable place in society. It is disturbed by those elements only that are deprived of its benefits exactly like the opposition in a democracy.

In fact corruption is so flexible in its nature that it fits in and makes comradery with any and every form of democracy, such as, imperial or monarchical democracy, dictatorial or martial democracy, oligarchical or just a functional democracy of any hue red, green or orange.

The real objective of corruption is harmonious development of society and evolution of a culture of abundance, prosperity and power. That is the declared objective of a democracy also but the difference in approaches make things difficult in a democracy. While objectives are easily, smoothly and in no time are achieved in a corruption oriented or corruption infested society which may take a life time in a conceptual democracy.

Corruption believes in taking a selected group, just like VIPs in a democratic society, to the highest position in no time. And just like democracy corruption believes in transparently dividing the society in two sections of haves and have-nots with an ever widening schism between the two.

One fails to understand why with so many similarities and common features they do not seem to pull together. In fact, they do. It is the mischievous few who try to show it otherwise. Both carry on side by side just like the opposition and the party in power in a democracy. Why not recognize the eventuality and inevitability of corruption and set all controversies at rest. And let the elderly non-beneficiaries live in peace. And let the pious hoard both spiritual and material wealth. And let the naïve incapable of understanding realities suffer for their ignorance.

There is one definite difference between the two. While democracy is corruptible corruption is incorruptible.

How many structures

How Many structures would you Demolish?

(on the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992)

The mosque and the mineret, the dome and the monastery,

The bridge, Well, tavern and the highway,

Madrasa, schools, thousands of seats of learning,

After all, how many structures would you demolish?

You are demolishing dwellings! Do it.

You are making the nation sick! Do it.

You are doing everything useless! Do it.

You’ll stremble at every step.

After all, how many structures would you demolish?

Every leaf of history is a stone sill,

You may read it if you have a dering heart,

You’ll repeat on your wrong deeds,

Against how many rocks will you dash your head?

After all, how many structure would you demolish?

I’ve come to settle the heart’s dwellings,

I’ve come to tell you what is good and bad,

I’ve come to show you the straight path,

I tell you, you’ll be decived.

After all how many structures will you demolish

Urdu version