Why So Much Criticism Yet No Change?
India is a nation where public criticism of politicians, bureaucrats, and the governing system flows endlessly. Every day, in tea stalls, living rooms, social media platforms, and even academic discussions, corruption is cited as the nation’s biggest curse. People question the unexplained rise in wealth of political leaders, the luxurious lifestyles of senior government officers, and the vast fortunes discovered in the homes of clerks, peons, and other low-ranking officials. A simple MLA who once struggled to run election campaigns becomes a millionaire within a single term. Retired IAS or IPS officers, despite fixed salaries throughout their careers, often possess assets valued in hundreds of crores. Even the lower rungs of the bureaucracy sometimes accumulate surprising wealth—crores in cash and gold found hidden in cupboards and mattresses.
The obvious question that keeps surfacing is: How does this “magic” happen?
Why does a system that is criticized so heavily remain unchanged decade after decade? Why does corruption appear to be a structural feature rather than a temporary disease? And why, despite widespread public awareness, does the country’s governance model remain more or less the same more than 70 years after independence?
To understand this paradox, we must look beyond individuals and examine the deeper forces—historical, systemic, psychological, and cultural—that shape India’s political landscape.
The Dual Personalities of Power
There is a peculiar transformation that occurs within Indian politics and bureaucracy. During their tenure in power, politicians and government officials rarely acknowledge corruption, inefficiency, or injustice. Ministers avoid discussing failures in education, healthcare, poverty, or unemployment. Bureaucrats quietly enjoy the perks of office—official vehicles, government housing, security, and informal privileges. Most of them remain silent about the political pressure, systemic flaws, or unethical practices they witness daily.
Then comes retirement or loss of power.
Almost overnight, these same individuals turn into profound philosophers. Retired officers begin giving long lectures about corruption, moral values, human rights, and the failures of governance. Political leaders who lose elections suddenly become champions of honesty, transparency, and public welfare. The same leaders who ignored people’s problems for years now claim to be the guardians of the poor, the voice of the oppressed, and the watchdogs against corruption.
This transformation raises a simple but powerful question:
Why do these moral awakenings occur only when power is gone?
The answer lies partly in human nature—comfort suppresses conscience, and loss reignites it. But more importantly, the system rewards silence and punishes integrity. Those in service or in government fear that speaking out will harm their careers, threaten their promotions, or alienate their political patrons. Therefore, criticism becomes a luxury that only the powerless can afford.
A Corrupt System Breeds Corrupt Behavior
People often shout:
“Our system is corrupt. Our society is suffering. Nothing ever changes.”
These statements, though repetitive, hold truth. Despite remarkable technological progress and economic growth, the gap between the elite and the general public continues to widen. About 1% of the population controls more than 60% of the nation’s wealth. VVIP culture thrives—leaders travel in endless convoys, officials receive special treatment, and public funds are spent generously on their comfort. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens must protest for access to basic necessities—clean water, functional schools, affordable healthcare, reliable electricity, and dignified employment.
It is not a hidden fact that a large portion of public money is wasted, misused, or siphoned off. Luxurious bungalows, extravagant events, unnecessary foreign visits, and oversized staff allocations continue despite the struggles of millions. The lifestyle of many elected officials and government servants resembles that of royalty, while the common people stand in queues for ration or wait in overcrowded hospitals for basic treatment.
But the real puzzle is:
If everyone knows the system is corrupt, why is there no meaningful change?
Why do people seem to have accepted corruption as a “new normal”? Why has an entire nation learned to live with injustice?
The Inherited System: A Colonial Structure Designed to Rule, Not Serve
To answer these questions honestly, we must revisit the foundation of India’s governance.
When India gained independence, it inherited a ready-made administrative framework from the British. This included:
- the legal system
- the police structure
- the civil services
- tax collection systems
- bureaucratic hierarchies
- and institutional culture
Unfortunately, most of these systems were never redesigned for the needs of an independent, democratic, diverse society. The British had created these structures for a simple purpose: to rule and extract resources, not to empower or serve the people.
After independence, instead of dismantling or reforming these colonial institutions, India absorbed them almost entirely. The ruling class changed—from British officers to Indian politicians and bureaucrats—but the administrative culture remained the same. The mindset of authority, hierarchy, control, and superiority was preserved.
In other words:
We removed the British rulers, but kept the British system intact.
This created a strange continuity—Citizens became “subjects” again, just under new masters. Political leaders and bureaucrats inherited not just power, but also the psychology that came with it. They became the new elite. The system gives them enormous privileges, immunity, and control. Naturally, those who benefit from the system do not want to change it.
This is the hidden truth behind the lack of reform.
A Society Still Carrying the Mentality of “Gulami”
A deeper layer of the problem lies not in the rulers but in the psychology of the ruled.
Centuries of foreign rule—Mughal and British—created a collective mindset conditioned to obey authority. Even after independence, this mindset did not disappear instantly. Many people still see the government not as an institution accountable to the public, but as a distant, superior power.
This “gulami mindset” manifests in many ways:
- People fear questioning authority.
- Bribery is normalized as a survival strategy.
- Citizens accept poor services without demanding accountability.
- Leaders are treated like kings, not elected servants.
- Public property is seen as nobody’s property.
- Merit is often undervalued; influence and connections dominate.
This is why, despite knowing the flaws, many individuals remain silent. They adapt rather than resist. They criticize privately but compromise publicly. Over time, this silent acceptance strengthens the corrupt system.
A Nation That Learned Little From Its Past
India’s core institutions—education, law enforcement, administration, taxation—all reflect colonial values rather than democratic empowerment. Our education system focuses on memorization rather than critical thinking. It was designed originally to produce clerks for the British Empire, not innovators, leaders, or problem-solvers.
Law and order systems still operate with rigid procedures, outdated laws, and a hierarchy that discourages transparency or reform. Court cases take decades. Citizens feel helpless. Police often function as instruments of political influence rather than protectors of public rights.
We have modernized physically—tall buildings, fast internet, expanding markets—but mentally and institutionally, much remains unchanged.
The only element that evolved drastically is corruption. In scale, complexity, and creativity, India has unfortunately become one of the global leaders. Corruption is no longer an exception; it is woven into the administrative fabric.
Why Change Seems Almost Impossible Today
Reforming a system requires three forces:
- Political will
- Administrative honesty
- Public courage
In India, all three remain weak due to systemic incentives and long-standing habits.
1. Political Will
Why would political leaders dismantle a system that grants them power, privilege, immunity, and wealth? Structural reforms would restrict their control. A transparent, accountable system would limit their influence. Therefore, meaningful reform rarely becomes a political priority.
2. Administrative Honesty
Good officers exist, but those who challenge corruption often face transfers, harassment, or career stagnation. The system discourages whistleblowers. As a result, even well-intentioned officers either compromise or step aside.
3. Public Courage
The general public is frustrated, but often feels powerless. Many believe that protesting or resisting is futile. Apathy and survival instincts overshadow civic responsibility.
Thus, the cycle continues:
A corrupt system produces corrupt behavior, which then strengthens the corrupt system.
The Way Forward: Changing the Mindset Before Changing the System
Real change cannot begin at the top. It must begin in the minds of people. Systems do not reform themselves—people reform systems.
India needs a transformation in mindset, not just in institutions. People must recognize that democracy is not a spectator sport. Silence is not neutrality. Accepting injustice is contributing to it. Rights must be claimed, not begged for.
And above all, accountability must become a cultural value—not just a legal requirement.
If citizens begin to demand transparency, refuse to normalize bribery, support honest leaders, and reject corrupt practices even in small ways, the system will gradually lose its power to dominate.
Conclusion
India’s long-standing problem with corruption and systemic inertia is not simply the failure of politicians or bureaucrats. It is the inheritance of a colonial system, the psychology of obedience passed down through generations, and society’s gradual acceptance of injustice as normal.
Criticism alone will not change the system. Change requires courage, consciousness, and persistent pressure from the people. Only when citizens truly believe they deserve better, demand better, and refuse to tolerate exploitation will the system begin to evolve.
The story of India is not yet finished. But for the next chapter to be different, the mindset of both rulers and the ruled must shift. Only then can the nation move from survival to dignity, from compromise to accountability, and from inherited structures to truly independent governance.
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