Who is to blame?

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, it is undeniable that individuals are facing significant challenges both emotionally and physically. As someone who has observed the situation, I would like to express my perspectives on this crisis and the different parties involved. It is widely acknowledged that the increasing number of cases and fatalities due to COVID has raised questions about who is responsible for controlling the situation. The public has been criticized for not following COVID protocols, while the Government has been blamed for not taking necessary actions to control the pandemic. However, I would like to approach this problem from a different perspective.

As someone with knowledge of how the Government works, I believe it is essential to take a neutral stance on this issue. It is important to note that politicians do not run the Government; rather, they are the executive authorities. The bureaucracy or the "Sarkari babus" runs the Government, and these individuals are highly qualified and respected in society. While politicians may be the face of the Government, the soul of the democracy is bureaucracy. The bureaucrats are responsible for data collection and post-processing. Therefore, if there are any discrepancies in the Government's statistics, it is the bureaucrats who are at fault for reporting inaccurate information.

It is essential to understand that every political party has two main goals: to serve the people and to prevail as the leading party in the future. It is natural for individuals to want to succeed and be in power. Therefore, it is not logical to blame the Government entirely for the current situation.

We need to delve deeper and understand the underlying problem. The bureaucracy works under political leaders, and the Indian system values respect and obedience towards elders and authority figures. Individuals are taught not to question or differ with their elders' opinions, resulting in a lack of critical thinking and rationalization. This mentality can carry over into their professional careers, including in the bureaucracy.

When crises like the pandemic arise, the bureaucrats may try to please their political leaders by projecting only the positive aspects, even if it means hiding the reality. This behavior can occur because the political leadership values satisfying news and avoids anything that may hinder their chances of winning an election or remaining in power. As a result, false statistics and statements can be presented to make the situation appear better than it is.

It is up to us to determine who is to blame and what needs to change. While it may be easy to place the blame on the Government, it is essential to recognize that the bureaucracy is equally responsible for the crisis. We need to encourage critical thinking and rationalization, even if it means disagreeing with authority figures. Additionally, political leaders need to value and encourage transparency and accuracy in their data reporting to make informed decisions and legislation. By holding both the bureaucracy and political leaders accountable, we can work towards creating a better future for all.

- Prithvi Sangani