
From the disciplined and supposedly incorrupt party the BJP was once supposed to be, in the last ten years it has slowly lost that sheen. Some say, it is because of many from other parties joining, and others say, that these are the activities of fringe elements! While many say that absolute power attracts such problems.
Whatever be the reason, what is your verdict, guilty or not-guilty?
There once lived an old and pious man, renowned for his honesty. One day his neighbor, a rich merchant, comes to him with a request. The merchant was leaving on a voyage and wants the old man to safeguard his wealth, until his return. The old man agrees and with God as witness promises to protect and safeguard the merchant’s wealth.
The old man then entrusts the safe keep of the merchant’s wealth to his son, from whom he takes an oath of propriety and honesty.
Slowly the son starts dipping into the merchant’s wealth, people notice this and warn the old man of the son’s misdeeds.
The old man calls his son asks him to explain, he also reminds him of his oath on following the right path. The son rubbishes the accusations as rumors and the idle gossip of jealous people, who could bear to see his prosperity. The old man accepts the son’s explanation and things go on as before.
The merchant returns and demands his wealth. The old man calls his son, who hands over a quarter of the merchant’s wealth saying that is all there was. The merchant realizing that he has been cheated approaches the King. The King listens to the merchant’s complaint and summons the old man. The old man comes to the court with his son and handing him over to the King says “your majesty, the merchant is right. My son has confessed to the crime. Please punish him.”
The king has the son flogged and imprisoned. He then praises the old man’s honesty and dismisses the case. But the merchant demands punishment for the old man saying, “I have still not received justice. I had entrusted my wealth to the old man which he swore by God to safeguard. As far as I am concerned the old man is the culprit and should be punished.
The king asks a wise man, “What should my decision be?”
The wise man replies, “Though the old man is innocent of the actual theft, he is guilty of dereliction of duty. The son’s crime was a straightforward one, the old man’s was a graver crime. He did nothing to protect the merchant’s wealth. Far from being vigilant he failed to act even when he was warned of his son’s misdeeds. Because of his laxity the merchant is condemned to a life of penury. He should be punished!”
Now I ask you again, “Guilty or Not-Guilty?”
Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and author. He blogs at www.bobsbanter.com and can be reached at bobsbanter@gmail.com