By M L Satyan

Bengaluru, Feb 4, 2024: Today’s socioeconomic, religious and political scenario in the country frightens me.

I wonder whether we live in a civilised and a democratic society when we see the ushering-in of Rama Rajya by constructing Ram temple at Ayodhya. The pro-corporate policies of the federal government and the use of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate against all opposition leaders and parties add to my worries

I am aghast at the toppling the non-BJP state governments, marginalization of socially and economically backward communities and continuous attacks on minority groups.

Whenever I read the parable of the Good Samaritan, I visualize Mother India in the place of the wounded traveller who was attacked by the robbers. Until Independence, Mother India was attacked and looted by foreign rulers.

Even after the country obtained Independence, the attacking, robbing, looting and raping of Mother India are being continued mainly by our own rulers who have a strong network with rich people, bureaucrats and criminals.

Today we live in a situation where there is no or less peace. This has been caused by value-less situation or degradation of basic human values. The value-less situation was very meaningfully described by Mahatma Gandhi in seven words called Seven Crimes. It is worth reflecting on them.

Pleasure without conscience

In the past a tribe called Charvaka lived and their only motto was – Eat, Drink and Make Merry. After many generations, the same mindset has come back. Everyone wants selfish enjoyment without having slightest concern for others.

To enjoy life, one needs money and how does it come? People today are willing to do any type of crime – smuggle, loot/robbery, corruption, drug/substance abuse, rape, kill and violence just for the sake of money with which they want to have selfish enjoyment.

Do such people have any conscience? Yes, they do, but they bury their conscience and involve themselves in various crimes keeping pleasure as their only goal.

Politics without principle

Today we have countless political parties. They just want two things – power and money. By hook or crook, they come to power and as long as they rule, they loot our money and disappear from the scene.

In the climax scene of a Hindi film, Madari, the politician makes a public confession like this: “Politics is for corruption. We politicians, intimidate people by using laws and constitution. We use the government machineries to make money for ourselves. We stoop to any level for this sake.” This is what we witness in our country today.

Wealth without work

In the past people tried to work hard and with the fruits of their hard labour they lived happily. But today, a vast majority of the people want to become rich overnight. People want instant success, instant power and instant money. As a consequence of this mindset, people are willing to do any unlawful thing for the sake of money. Hence, cheating, bribery, robbery, variety of scams and corruption now thrive. The dignity of labour is a forgotten value.

Worship without fellowship

In India various religions co-exist. The purpose of every religion is to strengthen love and fellowship among people. Sadly, today we are divided in the name of God and religion. People fight or made to fight and kill one another in the name of God and religion.

Religion is reduced to mere dead rituals and meaningless ceremonies. God is converted into a commercial commodity. The religious leaders have become business men/women selling God by exploiting the ignorance of the people or intimidating simple people by wielding their authority and power.

Commerce without sincerity

In the past the manufacturers produced only the essential commodities. Today the business people produce only those commodities in which they will get good profit. As a result, many unwanted and non-essential items are manufactured.

In Tamil there is a proverb that says, “Tell thousand lies to conduct a marriage.” Today the business people’s only motto is: “Tell countless lies to sell a product”. People are being brainwashed continuously through various ways. Consumeristic culture is fast spreading like a wild fire.

Science without humanity

Today we are ruled or dictated by electronic gadgets that have become inseparable. The question that needs to be asked is: Are these high-tech and sophisticated gadgets promote humanity? The sad answer is: No, they do not promote humanity. Rather all these high-tech gadgets have become threats to human fellowship.

Television, Mobile phones and Internet have taken the human society to a strange and lonely world where there is no humane spirit. Nuclear weapons are designed and weaponisation of space has been already initiated by many developed countries. The arrival of any new invention of science and technology is posing threat to humanity.

Education without character

Here are some shocking headlines in the print and electronic media: “A high school girl killed her grandmother for the sake of money”; “A college student kidnapped one LKG child and demanded one lakh rupees from the child’s parents”; “A college boy was killed by his friends due to triangle love affair with a girl”; “A high school boy ran away with his class teacher and tried to marry her.”

The objective of education is character building. Education must shape the personalities of students and enable them to become good and responsible citizens, men and women of characters. Instead of functioning as temples of wisdom, the educational institutions today have become commercial centres.

Many educational institutions boast of achieving 100 percent academic results. Can any educational institution claim that it has produced men and women of characters? What good will these character-less students do to their society and nation? This is a million-dollar question.

Article 51 of the Indian Constitution says “Promote harmony and the spirit of common fellowship among all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities.”

We need to understand our cultural heritage and rich spirituality and appreciate unity in diversity and other positive strengths of the country. We have to foster a true patriotic spirit and be proud of being an Indian.

We need to create awareness among the people with whom we live and work. We have to build the youth and help them to become good leaders. It is time we became enlightened leaders like the Good Samaritan and imbibe his good qualities. It is the duty and responsibility of every citizen to contribute constructively towards nation building.