Corruption can subvert state into a terrorist manifestation

 

Just as it is impossible to know when a swimming fish is drinking water so it is impossible to detect when a government servant is misappropriating public money," observed Chanakya, also known as Kautilya. He strongly advised rulers to remain vigilant, arguing that corruption within the administration was one of the gravest threats to the stability of the state. In his treatise, the Arthashastra, he described nearly forty different forms of embezzlement and emphasized strict surveillance and firm punishment as necessary deterrents against the misuse of power. Corruption cannot be eradicated if its presence is denied or concealed within the system. Ignoring it only strengthens its roots. Among the many forms of corruption, ideological corruption may be the most damaging. When social values are shaped by false assumptions or unscientific beliefs, society risks moral distortion. If such distorted values begin to conflict with constitutional laws and principles, they weaken the foundation of harmonious human relationships within communities. Permitting open corruption-whether through food adulteration, bribery, organized crime, or drug trafficking-undermines social stability in much the same way as organized violence does. A corrupt environment nurtures criminal networks and extremist elements that thrive by subverting the legal system for personal gain and self-glorification. Often, those engaged in wrongdoing attempt to normalize or justify their actions, offering excuses in defense of offenders. Yet such rationalizations fail to acknowledge the serious threat these elements pose to public welfare, national security, and social cohesion. Terrorism, in particular, cannot be justified under any pretext. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unequivocally condemned the attacks carried out by Hamas as acts of brutality. Violence against innocent civilians offers Israel and Palestine. Sustainable resolution can emerge only through dialogue, negotiation, and mutual understanding. Societies cannot be held hostage to terror; counter-terror operations, though often unavoidable, are responses to aggression rather than its cause. Terrorist groups frequently embed themselves within civilian populations, using ordinary people as shields to evade direct confrontation. This tactic not only endangers innocent lives but also manipulates public perception. When retaliatory actions result in civilian casualties, international discourse sometimes focuses more on the responding state than on the initial perpetrators of violence. Such distortions of perception further complicate the pursuit of peace and justice. It has long been said that a minor criminal, if not corrected at an early stage, can evolve into a major offender. Therefore, societies must address corruption and extremism at their roots. Building a rational social order grounded in reason, evidence, and lawful principles is essential. When unquestioned dogma or blind adherence to unverified claims overrides logical reasoning, it risks creating intellectual stagnation and collective moral decline. A healthy society depends on vigilance, accountability, and a commitment to truth and justice.

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Courtesy:    Maharaj Shah and Koshur Samachar- March, 2026