Impact Of Buddhism, Politics & Corruption On The Rule Of Law
Mass Usuf
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
My interest in writing this opinion is solely in relation to the Rule of Law (ROL) and its application in post-conflict Sri Lanka. There were promises echoed from the stages of both the Presidential and General elections with much hype, to transform Sri Lanka into an exemplary nation. Nearly two years after, even a semblance of this looks a distant mirage?
Events of the recent past indicates that there are at least three areas which impact on the ROL locally. They are Buddhism, politics and corruption. These three are intertwined and difficult to manage. For instance, politics is tainted with Buddhism and corruption. The solution is to first untwine and separate each of these from the other and, secondly, to distance each of these three factors from this idea of the ROL. To do this there are certain conditions precedent :
- Determination (firm and sincere), to establish a decent civil society;
- Positioning (truly), the interest of the nation above personal interests, ambitions and political party pursuits;
- Inclination (strong), towards upholding truth and justice;
- Resolution (unswerving), to apply the law equally to all including the monks and politicians; and,
- Courage, bravery, impartiality and the real character of patriotism.
It is apt to refer to a statement by the Late Justice Weeramantry, “there can be no democracy in a country unless the rule of law prevails at every level from the humblest to the most exalted citizen.”
Are these monks alone?
For the sake of brevity, I will confine myself only to the first of these three i.e. Buddhism. As far as Buddhism is concerned the excellence of it’s teachings is well known worldwide. What is not equally known is the irreparable damage that is being done to Buddhism. There have been several scholarly opinions expressed in the Colombo Telegraph time and again, mostly written by Sinhala Buddhists. Almost all of which expressing concern on the same lines namely, the damage being perpetrated on Buddhism. Strangely, not by any non-Buddhist but by the Buddhists themselves. More so, by some of those who have chosen to adopt the strictures of Buddha and donned the saffron robe. Are these monks alone? Nay, they are ably supported by the cohorts within the bureaucracy and those outside. Evidently for their selfish political gains and, the cunning foxes among them, eyeing greater political ambitions in the future.
Racialist nationalism and buddhism are opportunistic slogans used by these so called ‘patriots’ and ‘saviours’. The Rule of Law for such elements is an obstacle.
Is Buddha A Prophet Of Islam?
This is a subject of much intellectual debate and scholarship. I must make mention of this in passing. Some may feel uneasy or even jealous arising from a sense of possessiveness that a Muslim is writing about Buddhism. Be aware that Buddhism is a universal message and not the private property of the Sinhalese. I love Buddhism and I love the Buddhism in it’s original form. I, obviously, do not love the corrupted version of Buddhism as it is commonly being practised today.
My love for Buddhism stems from my adherence to Islam. It teaches that to every nation messengers and reformers have been sent at different times. Such Reformers preached what was suitable for that time and for those people.
“And for every community or a nation, there is a Messenger;” (Quran, Chapter 10 Verse 47)
“Truly We inspire you, as We inspired Noah, and the prophets after him, as We inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We bestowed unto David the Psalms;”
“And Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you,…” (Quran, Chapter 4 Verse 163–164)
Note the last sentence, ‘Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you’. A subject under study is if Buddha can be among one such Reformer who has not been mentioned but was Awakened to guide and reform mankind. Most of what he preached within the context of his time is in harmony with the progressive teachings of Islam. The final Reformer being Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him). This is, however, a totally different subject which can be dealt with on a later occasion.
Environment Of Impunity
It would be really humorous to think of a group of Congressmen writing a letter to their President, Barrack Obama, requesting him to take into custody and charge a suspect for inciting hate. Sadly, what would be considered a joke in the United States of America is a reality in Sri Lanka. Last month, (2nd December 2016) a letter was addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena signed by twenty one Muslim Parliamentarians requesting him “to take all extremists who are causing hate amongst communities into custody and charge them for inciting hate.” Does this action of the Members of Parliament demonstrate the absence of the normal standards of the Rule of Law? Something is amiss to require the intervention of the Chief Executive of the country over a simple investigation and prosecutorial matter. What is clear from this is the environment of impunity that has been created by the politicization of the Executive by successive governments. Wither the Rule of Law. In the absence of ROL chaos reigns and democracy diminishes.
