Is Corruption Acceptable in the Armed Forces...?

CORRUPTION – IS IT REALLY SO HARMFUL...? 

Corruption has become all pervasive – politicians, civilian bureaucrats – and – even defence officers have been affected by the “corruption virus”. 

Yes – even the Armed Forces have been tainted by scams by senior officers – and recently – we witnessed the ignominy of an ex Air Chief being arrested for corruption.

Whenever a senior military officer is implicated in a corruption scam – some veterans complain that only Armed Forces Officers Officers are targetted for Corruption and Politicians/Bureaucrats involved in corruption get away scot free.

They also give excuses justifying corruption in uniform saying that if Bureaucrats can be corrupt and make money – what is the harm of Military Officers also make a few bucks...? 

Corruption is harmful everywhere. 

At present – we are witnessing how a few corrupt bankers are defeating the objectives of Demonetisation. 

Yes – corruption is harmful in all places.

However – it is in the uniformed Defence Services that corruption caused maximum harm. 

This is because corruption destroys discipline – which is the bedrock of the Armed Forces. 

Read on...

CORRUPTION IN –> DISCIPLINE OUT

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

One of the most important of the  Ten Commandments  is the Eighth Commandment – THOU SHALT NOT STEAL (You shall not steal) which clearly says “do not steal” and prohibits theft.

There are many forms of “stealing”.

Robbery and burglary are “blue collar” thefts.

Corruption is a “white collar” theft.

Corruption is a form of stealing.

Hence – corruption violates the 8^th Commandment.

We observe that the law and society is harsh towards those committing robbery and burglary.

However – we seem to be quite benevolent and lenient towards the corrupt persons who indulge in all sorts of scams.

Is corruption really that harmful?

Well – there may be many ramifications of corruption – but one effect I have observed during my long military career in the Navy is:

“When Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out...”

“Corruption In –> Discipline Out...”

Discipline is the bedrock of the Armed Forces.

Corruption destroys discipline.

And that is the main reason why corruption is most harmful in military organizations like the Army, Navy and Air Force.

As a young officer in the Navy – I used to ask myself: 

“If I remove my badges of rank – then why should a sailor willingly obey me...?”

The answer I gave to myself was that – a sailor will obey me if he “respects” me.

And – in order to respect me – the sailor should feel that I am “better” than the sailor.

Yes – an officer will be respected by a soldier, sailor or airman – if the soldier, sailor or airman feels that the officer is “better” than him.

Those days – I could not exactly define what the term “better” meant.

Now – I realize that the term “better” means “moral ascendancy”.

Your juniors will willingly obey you if they “respect” you.

And – you must have “moral ascendancy” over them to gain their “respect”.

Thus – “moral ascendancy” in officers – especially senior officers – is an essential prerequisite for discipline in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“Moral Ascendancy” is the most important Officer Like Quality (OLQ) for a Defence Officer.

You have to attain moral ascendancy before you demand respect.

Genuine respect does not come from authority – but from “moral ascendancy”.

Can a corrupt officer have “moral ascendancy”...?

Can you expect Junior Officers and Soldiers to genuinely “respect” those Corrupt Senior Officers who indulge in scams, scandals and immoral acts and thereby tarnish the reputation of the Defence Services...?

Once “respect” goes – “willing obedience” goes – and – as a consequence – natural “discipline” goes.

Thus – when Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out.

Media reports of various incidents in recent times indicate that symptoms of this indiscipline are quite visible.

Can an indisciplined army fight effectively...?

There is a saying that a corrupt and indisciplined army can never win a war.

And – God Forbid – if there is a war – and – if we lose the war – the main reason will be corruption.

Corruption is harmful everywhere.

But in the Armed Forces – corruption is especially harmful since – in the Military – when Corruption comes in – Discipline goes out.

This can lead to disastrous consequences like defeat in war. 

In the Military – corruption can compromise security.

That is why Corruption in the Armed Forces is most harmful. 

Corruption is not acceptable anywhere – but – it is in the Armed Forces that Corruption is absolutely not acceptable at all – in view of the disastrous consequences that can happen if the “corruption virus” is allowed to affect the Defence Services. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
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Disclaimer:

1. This article is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. The word “blind” is used in a metaphorical sense – and there is absolutely no disrespect towards the visually impaired.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Revised and updated version of my article First Posted by me Vikram Karve in my blog academic and creative writing journal at 7/30/2012 11:19:00 AM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/07/corruption-in-discipline-out.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/10/why-corruption-in-military-is-most.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/01/is-military-corruption-harmful.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/corruption-is-it-really-so-harmful.html

Misplaced Loyalty – The “Keep it in the Family” Syndrome – Is it Moral or a Case of Pseudo-Ethics...?

I have just finished watching the movie RUSTOM on Zee TV 

Seeing the film for the second time reminded me of a blog post I had written after I had seen the movie “Rustom” when it was released in August 2016. 

Here is the article...

MISPLACED LOYALTY

“Keep it in the Family” Syndrome

A Garb for Pseudo-Ethics

Musings of a Navy Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

RUSTOM

Recently – I saw the movie RUSTOM

The film is based on the famous 1959 Nanavati Case 

(Commander K. M. Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra)

I am sure you are aware of this landmark murder case in which Commander Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati – a Navy Commander – was tried for the murder of Prem Ahuja – his wife’s lover. 

NANAVATI CASE 

As per information on the Nanavati Case on the Internet – it appears that – Commander Nanavati fired 3 shots at his wife’s lover who dropped dead – and then – Commander Nanavati headed straight to confess to the Provost Marshal of the Western Naval Command – and – on his advice – Nanavati surrendered himself to the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The murder case received unprecedented media coverage and inspired several books and movies.

Commander Nanavati – accused under section 302 – was initially declared “Not Guilty” by a Jury under section 302 – but – the verdict was dismissed by the Bombay High Court – and – the case was re-tried as a bench trial.

The High Court sentenced Nanavati to life imprisonment for culpable homicide amounting to murder – and subsequently – the Supreme Court of India upheld the conviction.

Nanavati was granted pardon after spending 3 years in prison – and – after his release – Nanavati – his wife Sylvia – and – their 3 children – all migrated to Canada – and – settled in Toronto.

Nanavati died in 2003.

The Nanavati case was the last to be heard as a Jury Trial in India – as the government abolished jury trials after this landmark case.

RUSTOM (Movie) – Twist in the Tail

The movie ending is different – with a “Twist in the Tail”.

The protagonist Commander Rustom Pavri walks free after the jury declares him “not guilty”. 

On the eve of the judgement – while talking to the Investigating Officer (Police Inspector Lobo) – Commander Rustom Pavri justifies killing his wife’s lover (Vikram Makhija)

Rustom says that the real reason he shot dead his wife’s lover (Vikram Makhija) was to prevent India Navy from acquiring a “sub-standard” Aircraft Carrier which would have compromised national security.

Vikram Makhija was an “Arms Agent” – and – he had entered into a conspiracy with “Bigwigs” (including high ranking Naval Officers and Bureaucrats) – to siphon off money by importing a “sub-standard” warship.

Rustom is deputed abroad to a foreign country to inspect the ship – and – he discovers the “scam”.

He is shocked to learn that his friend Vikram Makhija is the main conspirator and his own senior officers are involved neck-deep in the scam. 

The corrupt “scamsters” try to “persuade” Rustom to give a “favourable” report to accept the “sub-standard” ship.

The corrupt “scamsters” try to bribe Rustom – and – later they threaten him – but – Rustom – who is a patriotic and honest officer – refuses to compromise his integrity.

On his return to India – Rustom he telephonically informs the Defence Secretary about the scam – and – Rustom tells him that he will not spare the main conspirator Vikram Makhija (who – Rustom has coincidentally learnt is having an affair with his wife Sylvia).

(It later transpires that the Defence Secretary is also involved in the scam). 

Rustom proceeds to Vikram Makhija’s house and puts three bullets into his chest.

Vikram Makhija drops dead.

Everyone (including the investigating officer Inspector Lobo) thinks that Rustom killed Makhija because he caught him having an affair with his wife.

However – at the end of the movie – while talking to Inspector Lobo – Rustom reveals that real reason why he killed Vikram Makhija.

Rustom says the he killed Vikram Makhija since he was the key conspirator in the shady deal to import the sub-standard aircraft carrier warship.

Thereby – he managed foil the shady deal and prevented the import of a sub-standard warship whose acquisition would have compromised national security.

Inspector Lobo asks Commander Rustom Pavri: “What about the other conspirators like the Senior Navy Officers, Defence Secretary etc…? Why didn’t you expose them and ensure that they got punished…?”

Rustom says: “If I had exposed them – the “image” of the Navy and Government would have got tarnished – so – I did not expose those persons in “high places” to protect the reputation of the nation…”

Does the movie want to give a “message” that it is okay to condone high-level corruption in shady Defence deals – on the specious logic that – exposing high-ranking perpetrators will tarnish the “good image” of the Armed Forces, spoil the reputation of the Defence Establishment and embarrass the Government…?

In the Movie – Rustom displays “Misplaced Patriotism” by his misguided belief – that – he is defending the honour of the Navy and the Nation – by concealing the extent of the scam and withholding the names corrupt senior officers – due to which high-ranking perpetrators of the scam escape punishment and get away scot-free.

Hence – the “moral message” is that – for the “greater good” – it is justified to let wrongdoers get away scot-free just to protect the reputation of the organization.

Bizarre logic – isn’t it…?

Or maybe – it is not so bizarre.

Don’t we see such cases of “misplaced loyalty” in real life…?

This phenomenon is visible at work – at the organizational level – and – in personal life – at the familial level.

MISPLACED LOYALTY (The “Keep it in the Family” Syndrome)

Misplaced loyalty makes you remain silent when you know you should speak up – at work – and – in personal life – especially when it comes to personal friendships and close family relationships.

We see this phenomenon of “misplaced loyalty” in organizations – in the military (under the garb of “izzat”) – and – in “civvy street” too – in civilian bureaucracy – in business houses and the corporate sector – and – of course – in political parties.

Engaging in misplaced loyalty in professional life entails complying with a “code of silence” about the internal affairs of your organization.

In the Military – “Regimental Loyalties” (keep it within the unit) – and “Ship Loyalties” (keep it within the ship) – are examples of such misplaced organizational loyalties.

At the family/personal level – incidents of Incest, Sexual Abuse, Inappropriate Behaviour, Adultery, Pedophilia and Domestic Violence that happen within a “family” – these incidents may be “hushed up” to avoid “washing dirty linen in public” – because of the fallacious fear –  that exposing the wrongdoers may bring a “bad name” to the family and tarnish the reputation of the entire family.

I call it the “keep it in the family” syndrome. 

The term “family” is used literally to mean personal family comprising relatives – as well as metaphorically – to refer to organizations (workplace “family”).

“Misplaced Loyalty” due to the “Keep it in the Family” syndrome sometimes makes you condone unethical acts of individuals/organizations who you feel are a “part of the family” and towards whom you feel a sense of “loyalty”.

“Misplaced Loyalty” attitudes of – “Keep it in the Family” – “Don’t Wash Dirty Linen in Public” – result in a “pseudo-ethical” tendency to “brush misdemeanors under the carpet” and “hush up” wrongdoings – due to which culprits get away scot-free.

Owing to these “Misplaced Loyalty” Mindsets in Organizations – Frauds and Scams are “hushed-up” – Corruption and Wrongdoings are not exposed – and – Scandals are swept under the carpet.

In some cases – even heinous crimes are “hushed up” – due to the propensity to “cover up” criminal activities due to the “Keep it in the Family” Syndrome.

Both at the macro-level and micro-level – in organizational environments – and – in family settings – “misplaced loyalty” due to the “keep it in family” syndrome may have deleterious consequences.

The ramification of this “misplaced loyalty” due to the “keep it in family” syndrome is that wrongdoers get emboldened to commit misdemeanors even more brazenly with disastrous consequences.

The widespread corruption, various scams/scandals and proliferation of crime bear testimony to this fact.

Due to the “keep it in the family” mindset – in workplaces and in family settings – if sexual perverts who indulge in “inappropriate behavior” are allowed to get away “scot-free” – they may get emboldened to commit worse misdemeanors like sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape etc.

“Misplaced Loyalty” is dangerous – for the “family” – and for society at large.

Even if it means “embarrassment” to the “family” – isn’t it better to “name and shame” wrongdoers and punish these malefactors at the very first instance…?

Exposing transgressors in the very first instance will help “nip things in the bud” – and – will deter these wrongdoers from committing graver misdemeanors – which may prove to be even more detrimental to the family/organization.

During my long career in the Navy – I did come across a few instances of attempts to “cover up” misconduct due to the “keep it in the family” syndrome (“Misplaced Loyalty” arising from “fear of reputation damage” – or – due to adherence to so-called pseudo “honour codes” prevalent in military training academies and in some regiments/units) 

But – by and large – instances of misconduct were duly reported and the offenders were punished.

CONCLUSION

Coming back to the movie RUSTOM – it is one thing for a Naval Officer to commit an “Honour Killing” by shooting his wife’s illicit lover.

But – it is quite another thing for a Naval Officer to kill a Civilian Businessman who is a conspirator in a defence scam – while at the same time “protecting” high-ranking Navy Officers and Civilian Bureaucrats involved in the same scam – and justifying the “hush up” – on the bizarre logic – that exposing these high-ranking officers will tarnish the image of the Navy and the Nation.

I wish the movie had stuck to the original story – and – not twisted the story by a hotchpotch sub-plot about corruption in defence deals – and – ended up with the protagonist Commander Rustom Pavri justifying his “Misplaced Patriotism” – due to which – he does not expose corruption in the shady defence deal – on the specious logic – that “naming and shaming” corrupt high-ranking officers involved in the scam – would “tarnish the image” of the Navy (and Nation)

So – the protagonist (Commander Rustom Pavri) thereby allows the conspirators to get away scot-free and escape punishment for their misconduct. 

Dear Reader – Don’t you see examples of “Misplaced Loyalty” and “Keep it in the Family” Syndrome around you – where – instead of being punished – wrongdoers and culprits are allowed to escape punishment and get away scot-free – at both – the “macro level” – in politics, in bureaucracy, in the military, in corporates, in academia – and also at the “micro level” – in your workplace and among your family and friends...?

I feel that Misplaced Loyalty (due to the “keep it in the family” syndrome) is a garb for pseudo-ethics – and this proves detrimental to the greater good in the long run. 

Dear Reader – Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

 

This is a revised re-post of my blog post “Keep it in the Family” Syndrome first posted online by me Vikram Karve on Monday, August 22, 2016 in my blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/keep-it-in-family-syndrome-misplaced.html

Who is Responsible for Corruption

Here is an article I had written more than 3 years ago – once more – for reflection...

CORRUPTION – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE…?

Musings on CORRUPTION and CULPABILITY

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Whenever there is a scam – it is quite amusing to see top leaders abdicate responsibility and blaming their juniors.

It seems to have become a standard leadership practice to dodge responsibility for scams, bribery and the corrupt activities – and pass the buck by blaming their juniors who are made scapegoats. 

However – from the ethical point of view – if there is a scam – the Top Man (Head of the Organization) cannot escape culpability – and he must be held accountable for corruption in the organization which he heads. 

When Corruption takes place – there can be 4 scenarios – as far as the Top Leadership – or “TOP MAN” – is concerned:

1. THE TOP MAN INITIATES THE CORRUPTION

The scam is done at the behest of the leader by morally pliable juniors. 

Thus – in this case – it is the Top Man who is directing and presiding over the corruption – and the obsequious, subservient and “flexible” subordinates facilitating, helping and participating in carrying out the corruption – and also enjoying their share of the “pie” in the loot.

If you observe the various scams in the news these days – you will realize that most present day corruption falls in this category – it is the leader who initiates corruption.

2. THE TOP MAN IS INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPTION

A corruption “system” (systemic corruption) may already be in place in an organization – and the Top Man joins in and becomes a part of it. 

The Top Man starts participating in the corruption.

Here is an illustrative example:

“X” joined as the boss of an inspection organization on deputation. 

He had not served in that organization before. 

At the end of the first month, he found an envelope with money in his drawer. 

On inquiring, he was told that this was his “share” in the “hafta” or “mamool” 

He took the envelope and put it in his briefcase. 

The top man became a part of the “system”

3. THE TOP MAN TURNS A BLIND EYE TO THE CORRUPTION

The Top Man knows that there is corruption going on in his organization – but he turns a blind eye to the corruption.

He looks the other way – and he does nothing to stop the corrupt practices. 

He does not want to “rock the boat” or “ruffle feathers” – so he lets the corruption happen unhindered.

Whereas in first and second examples of corruption – the leader was guilty of “commission” – in this case – the Top Man is guilty of “omission”.   

4. THE TOP MAN IS CLUELESS ABOUT THE CORRUPTION

The Top Man is so incompetent that he does not know what is going on in his organization – and he is ignorant and clueless about the corruption happening in his organization.

It is possible that he may be faking innocence – pretending to be clueless and feigning ignorance to wriggle out of the situation as we see in some recent cases.

Even if he is genuinely clueless about the corruption in his organization – then he is not fit to head the organization and he must be sacked on grounds of incompetence.

CONCLUSION

It is clear from the four cases elucidated above that the leader or top man is fully responsible, accountable and culpable for corruption in his organization because:

It is the Top Man who “INITIATES the corruption” 

or 

The Top Man “is INVOLVED in the corruption” 

or 

The Top Man “turns a BLIND EYE to the corruption” 

or 

The Top Man “is CLUELESS about the corruption”

Yes – it is the Top Man in the Organization who does one or more of the following:

1. He initiates the corruption

2. He is involved in the corruption

3. He turns a Blind Eye to the corruption and he lets the corruption happen unhindered

4. He is Clueless about the corruption going on in his organization due to his incompetence and ineptitude?

Hence it is the leader who initiates, is involved in, turns a blind eye to or is clueless about corruption.

In all the four cases the Leader or Top Man must be held culpable for the corruption in his organization.

When a scam happens or corruption is prevalent in an organization – the Top Man cannot shirk responsibility and escape accountability.

Therefore – even if there is a whiff of a scam – or the slightest evidence of corruption in an organization – the Top Man must be held responsible, accountable and culpable – and he must resign – or be sacked immediately in order to envisage a fair and speedy investigation.

Before I end – let me tell you that in the Navy of yesteryear – the Captain or Commanding Officer was held responsible for anything and everything on his ship or shore establishment – and if anything went wrong – he was summarily sacked. 

However – even in the Navy and other Services – things have changed now – with the military leadership taking the cue from political and civilian leadership in the art of “management” of corruption.

There are some exceptions – like the erstwhile Navy Chief who resigned taking moral responsibility for accidents/mishaps – but in most cases – very few Senior Officers accept moral responsibility for corruption/wrongdoings happening under their command – they try to save their own skins and tend to pass the blame to their juniors.

So – the Military Top Brass is quick in taking the cue from Politicians and Bureaucrats.

In fact – it would be better of things were the other way around – and the political and civilian leadership imbibed values from the military – and this tradition of taking responsibility be followed by political leadership and civilian bureaucracy.

Whenever corruption or something wrong happens – the “Top Man” must be held accountable and punished – instead of passing on the blame to juniors.

If we wish to eradicate corruption in an organization (or in a country or state) – the only solution seems to be is to have a scrupulously honest leader who is committed and decisive in eradicating corruption and ruthless in punishing the corrupt. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This article is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.