Corruption & Collapse

From Bangladesh to Nepal, corruption has sparked unrest, regime change, and foreign meddling. India must learn, act, and secure itself before the same forces exploit its vulnerabilities

- RANJAN MUKHERJEE

Corruption is the only common factor that is evident in all the recent unrest in this part of the globe, with the change of regimes associated with severe violence, besides widespread civil conflict, loss of lives and properties, as one is witnessing in Nepal. Previously, similar actions were seen in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and, prior to that, in Myanmar too.

Be it K. P. Sharma Oli in Nepal, Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, or Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka, all were heading governments that were seen to be corrupt by the citizens, mainly comprising the youth, and shown the door. Corruption at the leadership level breeds similar traits down the entire government machinery. Beyond a threshold, it becomes untenable and is only held onto by political powers for continued survival. Hegemonic forces, which turn inimical to any government, lurk in the back in search of the right opportunity to change the regime that doesn't toe its line.