Fighting corruption requires action, not just words

corruption is so deeply rooted in Bangladesh that even children and the mentally ill recognize it as the nation’s biggest problem. Time and again, Bangladesh has earned the dubious distinction of being ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world. It’s as if the nation is trapped in a vicious cycle- no matter who comes to power, corruption remains a constant.

Governments change, and every new administration promises to root out corruption. But beyond speeches and slogans, little changes on the ground. The same cycle continues- year after year, decade after decade- because the fight against corruption often ends with mere words. Most recently, the interim government's advisor on home affairs, Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, declared, “The biggest problem in Bangladesh is corruption. It has permeated every layer of our society.” His statement sounded as though he were revealing something previously unknown.

On Tuesday around 11 a.m., speaking to the media in front of Gacha Police Station in Gazipur, he added, "If only we could bring corruption under control in any way. We will make people aware, and ask them not to engage in corruption." Some of the advisor’s remarks sound almost childishly simplistic. He wants to raise public awareness so that no one commits corruption, as if he's a spiritual leader or saint- expecting that simply by his request, people will bow their heads in obedience.

But combating corruption is a legal matter of the state. Can mere words bring about results? The home affairs advisor did mention that reforms in the police force are ongoing. Yet, we remain skeptical about whether the police can play a real role in fighting corruption. After all, we've seen how the police in Bangladesh have often become puppets in the hands of the powerful, and have themselves been involved in corrupt practices.

So what is the way to get rid of corruption? In fact, for that, a deep study of our social-state is first required. A search for why the people of our country have given up all ethics-morality-values. The majority of people in Bangladesh are Muslims and religious. In words they speak of religious ideals. At the slightest slip of lime from their drink, at the slightest religious affront, they jump into a belligerent posture. Who is doing so much corruption?

We know that most of the political parties and individuals of our country are involved in various forms of corruption. Among the country's teachers-bureaucrats-businessmen, government officials and employees, few people can be found who have stayed away from corruption despite the opportunity. This has happened, the soul of this nation has been destroyed long ago. The corrupt society-state that has been going on since independence is still in place.

We know the answer: political parties, individuals, civil servants, educators, businessmen, and bureaucrats- few sectors are untouched. Among them, it is rare to find someone who has abstained from corruption when the opportunity presented itself. It is a grim reflection of a society where the collective conscience has long been compromised.

The roots of this problem stretch back to the post-independence era. Since then, a corrupt system has not only survived but flourished. When the interim government took office, there was hope for real change- hope that corruption would be reined in. But the advisor’s own words betray a sense of helplessness, a quiet admission that the system may be too far gone. Still, it’s not impossible to turn the tide. Real change demands political will, strict legal enforcement, and a zero-tolerance approach. The government must lead by example. If it truly wants to root out corruption, it can. But without its backing, no society descends this far into dysfunction.

We welcome the advisor’s truthfulness, but words alone won’t fix what’s broken. It’s time to act. Bangladesh doesn’t need more speeches- it needs bold, transparent, and enforceable actions to reclaim the integrity of its institutions.