भारत हा लुटारूंचा देश बनत चालला आहे....?

Debate on   the Plate of poor, Silence Over the Corrupt's Treasury

A strange and painful picture can be seen in today's society. When a poor person receives a few kilograms of free food grains, a scholarship, or benefits under a government scheme, some people immediately start calling them a "freeloader."

But on the other hand, there is not the same level of discussion about officials who earn lakhs of rupees in salary yet take bribes, or corrupt politicians who allegedly siphon off crores of rupees through commissions in the name of development projects.

We discuss the poor person's plate;
but remain silent about the corrupt person's treasury.

This is one of the greatest tragedies of our system and our social mentality.

The Poor Accept Assistance Because Circumstances Force Them To

A farmer may be devastated by drought. A daily-wage worker may go hungry because there is no work. A widow, an elderly person, or an unemployed young person may depend on a government scheme for support.

These people accept assistance because they often have no alternative. For them, free food grains, scholarships, or subsidies are not luxuries; they are necessities for survival.

Hunger and anxiety about their children's future force people to accept help. Therefore, calling poor people "freeloaders" is an insult to their struggles and circumstances.

Who Are the Real Freeloaders?

The real freeloaders are not those who accept assistance to obtain two meals a day.

The real freeloaders are those who:

• Live lavishly on taxpayers' money;
• Demand bribes in government offices to perform their duties;
• Take commissions while deliberately delivering poor-quality development work;
• Use the names of farmers, workers, and the poor in politics while filling their own treasuries;
• Use political power not for public service, but for accumulating wealth.

Even after receiving high salaries, government facilities, official residences, vehicles, and security, such people are often not satisfied. They continue to seek more money—by any means.

This harms the country, slows development, and destroys the common citizen's trust in the system.

The Poor Are Not a Burden on the Nation; Corruption Is

A few kilograms of food grains given to a poor family can never destroy the country. But a single corrupt transaction can waste crores of rupees of public money.

Because of corruption:

• Roads are constructed with poor quality;
• Farmers' welfare schemes remain incomplete;
• Unemployed people lose opportunities;
• Healthcare and education systems become weaker;
• Ordinary citizens are forced to struggle for justice.

Poverty is not an individual's fault;
but corruption is a dangerous disease of society and the system.

The Double Standards of Society

Today, it has become easy to target poor people on social media and in public discussions because poor people often do not have the power to fight back.

But raising one's voice against corrupt and powerful people requires courage. Therefore, many people criticize the poor while remaining silent about major scams and corruption.

This mentality must change. If society begins to question corrupt treasuries instead of constantly questioning the plates of the poor, meaningful change can take place.

The Real Need Is Not Charity, But Justice

No poor person wants to depend permanently on free assistance. A poor person also wants to live with dignity.

What they need is:

• Employment;
• Quality education;
• Fair compensation for their hard work;
• A corruption-free system.

Therefore, the country does not need a campaign to insult the poor. What it needs is a strong fight against corruption.

Conclusion

In a society where the poor person's plate becomes a subject of debate while the corrupt person's treasury remains untouched, justice cannot truly remain alive.

Before calling a poor person a "freeloader," we must look at the privileged freeloaders who misuse public money and resources.

The poor may survive with assistance;
but corruption slowly destroys the entire nation from within.

The time has come—not to blame the poor, but to question the corrupt system.

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Author: Arun Ramchandra Pangarkar
Founder: Shramik Kranti Mission – Garibon Ka Aawaz