In defence of the middle class Indian.

Several theories have been proposed as to why India did not achieve the status of a developed country. Nations which have been colonised under imperial powers and  countries torn down by wars around the same time of we achieving independence  have  better and impressive growth stories . The rupee rate is falling. People are growing apprehensive over the economic inflation which includes the rising prices of day to day commodities.

India was predominantly a country which depended on agriculture since times immemorial. People were happy growing crops, tending the cattle and reminiscing about the ancient glory of our land. The advent of the British in India changed the dynamics of the equation. There was a sudden surge in opportunities and the tactful and elite one’s held on to them with fervour .The average Indian still considered agriculture and it’s allied activities as the most satisfying occupation.

Since Independence a gradual shift came about in the attitude of the common man regarding higher education and the associated opportunities. As time passed, more and more rural population began to migrate to cities in hope of better living standards. They began scouting for jobs that would suit their craftsmanship and satisfy the family’s needs. The abolishment of Licence Raj, liberalisation of the Indian economy has heralded the growth of several Industries and in the process has created tens of thousands of jobs. Some of the people have managed to increase their efficiencies and have gained a footing in the clichéd “ Indian race to success”. Their kids have been privy to a decent education and a job which is enough to run their families. This set of population has been christened as ‘Middle Class’.

The reason as to why I touched upon this topic is that there is a fad which is on the rise since a decade. Statements are being made that politicians are corrupt because people are corrupt. The middle class man is perceived as one who is too effeminate in solving problems that have plagued this country. We are told that each one of us has learned to accept corruption .Time and again, if not a news anchor, an author, if not both of them, a diplomat or a self-perceived intellectual, someone or the  other has blamed the common  man’s indifference as the root cause of sorrow in this country. The verdict is out. The common man is the cause for corruption in this country.

I beg to differ with this prevalent notion. Corruption is a norm in this country and not an exception. People who try to blame the average Indian for every problem have to introspect about their eligibility to speak about the mind-set of a common man. As an example, a traffic case slapped for driving without valid documents might take months to come up for hearing. The constable who asks for a bribe to let go off your vehicle might have to keep his superiors happy. The pecking order is unclear. Going for a driving licence without the help of an agent is equivalent to running a marathon race. You are given a list of papers to be submitted and surprisingly the list changes with every trip undertaken to the Xerox shop. The process culminates when you finally offer a crisp five hundred rupee note. The dust settles down immediately. The people start moving with such alacrity that you are left brooding over the time wasted in trying to beat the system. These particular incidents might appear trivial. But these traits repeat themselves across the length and breadth of the country in every walk of life.

The first value that we are taught in life is that honesty is the best policy.  Our historical epics have preached the principles of righteousness. We were told about the way in which god manifests himself on earth in the form of man to fight all evils. All of us believe that we are living in a model and upright world. Suddenly, life hits you. You realise that you are nothing but a mere pawn in this grand scheme of things where everyone tries to rip you of your imbibed values and hard-earned money. The value education lessons learnt in primary school begin to appear as the greatest lie ever told. The inscription on the national emblem, ’Satyameva Jayathe’ starts mocking you .Unable to swim against the tide, you cave in and accept defeat. Whenever your conscience pricks you, the ‘Why should I?’ question assuages it.

The ‘why should I’   attitude is not without its reasons. Corruption is just on the top of the problem. The rot has penetrated deeper.  A man bringing back a gold biscuit after years of hard work in a foreign country is asked to pay import duty. This gold biscuit is then included in the wealth tax that he has to pay, year after year while our Netas are allowed to store millions of dollars in tax havens. If you want to secure the future of your family and opt for a life insurance you are asked to pay service tax on the premium. More insurance policies make way for lower premiums and valuable benefits. Bringing an Industry which offers no service in the traditional way under the ambit of service tax is making a mockery of the hard efforts of people. Service tax is also added to the VAT in the restaurant. On the other hand greasing of bureaucrats for sops to private companies is given a fanciful term ‘Corporate lobbying’. Nobody gives an explanation as to where the tax payer’s money is going. Rules are bent to favour the elite. Cases are levelled against people who threaten to question the system. The nation’s top organisations which are run on public funds are being used for personal gains and political mileage .The RTI bill is passed, but applicants are murdered. The common man remains a mute spectator to the great drama that has been unfolding since decades.

If corruption is the way to get out of a murky, unfair and a fractured system, it is something that people are willing to do. When even judges are accepting bribes to grant bail to cash swindling- ministers, the corruption encouraged and accepted by the system is a ray of light that offers solitude to the common man.

 Man craves for safety, security and a decent standard of living. Corruption is the price that the average Indian is paying to survive in this great democracy.