satire : Vigilance - Our shared Responsibility

 

 

This is the theme of ‘Vigilance’ this year. Therefore, masses and classes let all stay informed that it is no more the responsibility of bribe taker alone, it is our shared responsibility. You may argue that you were no where in picture or were not a beneficiary of a single penny/schilling/Euro/Dollar/Pound as the case may be. Hitherto, the bribe takers have been seeking refuge “…It is not mine…I don’t know what is in it…I was taking it for my superiors…” No more now, all senior-junior and peers will be hunted, hauled and humiliated after all it is our shared responsibility. There is a saying 'Death with friends is a festival'. So now onwards it would be Jail for All.  

 

             This theme could also mean that catch the whistle blower first. These days another theme widely prevalent is ‘Shoot the messenger’ so forget all about the message. Whistle blower is  equally responsible. It will be amusing to see all hand cuffed ones claiming each other’s hand and blaming the world. For example, you buy best Californian dry fruit box for the boss and hide agreed upon bribe in it  in lieu of the tender.  So, if caught red handed, it would not be you alone, box maker, dry fruit seller, giver-taker all will be held responsible.

 

This shared responsibility is a tricky term. Shared responsibility simply means no body’s responsibility. God in heaven all is well with the world. Take another scenario, suppose the bribe giver enters an office, Public Park or a Restaurant wherever the rendezvous has been fixed. Would the peon, receptionist, watchman, steward as per this theme, will be arrested being close accomplice/equal partner in the crime.

 

It can be successfully argued that when you knew bribe is going to be offered/received why didn’t you red flagged. You could have prevented this heinous crime against the society/nation/humanity (as you please) what is your interest? You are either with us or against us. All need to be given third degree. You will understand better through this simple illustration. You give a shirt to tailor for stitching. Tailor has spoiled it completely without salvage. Now the shared responsibility begins. Your fabric was like that only - sub- standard, the cloth was inadequate or more than required. The button hole guy made mess of button holes, button guy could not get proper matching buttons, collar guy procured a collar which was below par. The scissors sold by scissor seller was of lowest quality and blunt. The inch tape was not properly calibrated. This is the shared responsibility. Whom will you catch now? Obviously, all the 22 guys involved. Would you be able to catch? or will it once again be Catch-22?