By: Ishfaq Shafi
Corruption is really a major issue and a stumbling block in way of achieving any target individually or as a state. More or less it is present worldwide and seems to be nearly undefeatable. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are among the worst suffers of corruption in public services and otherwise as well. The Centre for Media Studies (CMS) in its annual corruption study stated that J&K figured among 20 most corrupt states of India.
Our youth are the worst sufferers as corruption and favouritism has taken a serious toll in nearly all sectors in the state machinery. As a result, those who are deserving candidates seldom make it to the select lists while those who know the means of corruption and have their godfathers on decisive positions het through each time.
While the majority of people here belong to the religion of Islam which prohibits, it the strictest words corruption and favoritism, the plague has however spread into the very nervous system here and there is hardly any sector free from this illness. Here we have seen cases of corruption surfacing form the 4th class selection lists to the top notch positions. It isn’t limited to just a few officers or just a few offices and indeed the roots of corruption run deep into the very structures here.
Corruption has been defined differently at different occasions. For example, in a simple context, while performing work for a government department or as a representative of a forum or an organization, it is clearly unethical to accept any gift (s). Any free gift could be considered as a scheme to lure the recipient towards some biases. In most cases, the gift is seen as an intention to seek certain favors such as work promotion, tipping in order to win a contract, job or exemption from certain tasks. In the case of junior employee giving the gift to a senior employee who can be key in winning the favor is again of the same nature.
Corruption is an age old phenomenon and has spread like cancer. It is widespread in our society and has caused maximum sufferings to the people. Emergence of a political elite which believes in interest oriented dealings is yet another form of corruption and the artificial scarcity created by people with malevolent intention wrecks the very fabric of the economy as well. Corruption is caused as well as intensified because of the change in the value system and ethical qualities of men who are in any position of administration. The old ideals of morality, services and honesty are regarded as anachronistic.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: “The son of Adam will not pass away before Allah until he is asked about five things: how he lived his life, and how he utilized his youth, how he earned his wealth, how he spent his wealth, and what he did with his knowledge.”
Nowadays, bribery and corruption have become such a normal thing in our lives that we have nearly internalized it without even thinking! This is wrong and it’s a sin in Islam. “Truly, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11).
The writer is a Govt Employee working in Agriculture Department and can be reached at ishfaqshafi428@gmail.com
