This article published in DNA, tells us about the moral upright and dharmic system of our ancestors which has been corrupted.
How ancient Bharat upheld democracy, kept corruption at bay
Aligarh Muslim University historian S Chandni Bi, who has specialised
in epigraphy, the study of inscriptions, says around 1,000 years ago
there was zero tolerance towards financial bungling. According to him,
inscriptions in the southern state of Tamil Nadu clearly indicate how
intolerant civil society was against corrupt practices and the violators
of ethical framework.
Chandni told IANS in an interview: "A
well-evolved democratic system was functional, starting at the Saba
level, between the eighth and the 16th century in South India,
irrespective of the ruling dynasties: the Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas,
Pandyas and Vijaynagar.
"The members of a Saba were elected by the
whole community of the village by a system peculiarly known as 'Kuda
Olai' system (Kudam-Pot and Olai-Palm leaf). The village was divided
into wards called 'Kudumbus', and every ward had to write the eligible
person's names on the palm leaves. The bundle of palm leaves was emptied
in a pot. The member was chosen by draw of lots."
The most
important point to note here was the issuance of strict guidelines by
the rulers, inscriptions give fair indication of the clarity of thought
and zero tolerance towards financial bungling.
"Among the
inscriptions three are very important which belong to the 10th century
AD Two inscriptions are found in Vaykundanatha Perumal temple at
Uttramerur, Kanchipuram district and another one is from Pallipakkam
village of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu state belonging to the rule of
Parantaka Chola Ist," Chandni explains.
"The crimes committed by
the members of the Saba are divided into three categories. The swindling
of funds or public property and those who failed to submit their
accounts have been considered as crime number two (Most of our politicians, Bureaucrats alongwith Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodiya will fall in this category). Such members were not
eligible to contest the Saba election for life long. Not only they but
their relatives too could not contest elections, like children, in-laws,
brothers and their children, grand -parents, grand- children, relations
through wife etc, nearly for three generations. They were called as
'Grama Dhurogis'.
"While murder of even Brahmins was considered
pardonable, crimes like cheating or swindling public funds were
unpardonable even by gods. Political crime was not pardonable but other
crimes could be punished with penalties or performance of penance and
charitable deeds, to become eligible for elections again."
There
were established codes of conduct laid down for the Saba members as
found in an inscription from Mannur village of Tirunelveli district.
Among them, the most interesting one relates to obstructing the
political processes or functioning of the Saba deliberately. In such
cases a penalty of five Kasu (Rupees) was imposed for every such act of
mis-conduct, on such members. Yet they were permitted to stay and
participate in the proceedings of the Saba. Generally, the Kings' orders
were executed by passing in the Saba.
To prevent political power
getting concentrated in one family leading to dynastic tendencies, rules
were framed. "According to this rule, the present members of the Saba
cannot contest the election for next 2 to 10 years. In the same way none
of their relatives should have contested for the past five years if one
wanted to contest for membership of Saba. There is also a sub-rule to
provide equal opportunity for everybody stipulating induction of two new
members without any previous experience as members of the Saba."
The
Sabas had to be dissolved before the election of the new one and the
elections were generally conducted by the village accountant and a judge
called 'Madyasthan'. In the public services there were no holidays and
therefore no one in authority could neglect public duty. "It was
categorically mentioned that the elected members should provide their
service for 360 days. The elected members' term of office was only one
year and automatically should resign after completion of the term."
They
also actively practised the right to recall. "In those days if an
elected member of the Saba committed a crime or violated law, he was
immediately sacked. Such has been our rich and exemplary past. Let us
bring it back instead of looking to the west for solutions," said
Chandni who is teaching South Indian History in AMU.
And here we are. Not only a western super PM and Bhondu Yuvraj but even the 'movement' against corruption is being hijacked by west controlled 'award winners' (Yes, Magsaysay and Nobel) and church controlled media.
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