Saturday | 5 October 2024 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Saturday | 5 October 2024 | Epaper
BREAKING: ● 3 die in Sherpur flood; 60,000 stranded      ● Ex-president Badruddoza Chowdhury passes away      ● Killing during students' movement: 9 bodies to be exhumed in Sylhet      ● Malaysian prime minister leaves Dhaka for home      ● CA seeks Malaysian support for Bangladesh to be ASEAN dialogue partner      ● Malaysian PM assures of attention to 18,000 Bangladesh workers       ● Bid to kill Khaleda Zia: Sheikh Hasina among 113 sued      

Are we creating an immoral society?

Published : Friday, 28 June, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 295
MD ANISUR RAHMAN
Morality is undoubtedly a noble virtue which serves as the foundation of ethical behaviour and social harmony. Those who practice the teachings of morality are revered and considered great people in the society. By upholding principles of honesty, integrity, and compassion, these people contribute significantly to the creation of a beautiful and balanced society. In such a society, mutual respect and understanding prevails every corner of the society. Morality fosters a sense of justice and fairness, ensuring that the rights and dignity of all members are protected and valued. Consequently, a morally grounded society is characterized by its stability and the well-being of its citizens, promoting an environment where kindness and cooperation flourish.

But our present society has surprisingly witnessed a troubling rise in moral degradation. The number of people who are involving in unethical activities and a lack of moral integrity are alarmingly increasing. This social decay is posing a serious threat to the foundation of a peaceful and harmonious community. This growing trend of moral decay manifests in various forms, from dishonesty and corruption to a blatant disregard for societal norms and values. As these behaviours become more prevalent, they erode trust and mutual respect, which are essential components for a stable and cohesive society.

The increasing activities of youth gangs across the country have led to a state of unrest and heightened anxiety in the society. These gangs are involved in a range of unsocial and criminal activities that severely disrupt public order. Incidents of snatching, extortion, and drug abuse are rampant. The gangs also engage in eve teasing and the torture of local people. They are not respectful to the law and so do not obey the law and order instructed by law enforcing agencies.   All these activities create a sense of insecurity among citizens and create an environment where people feel constantly threatened and unsafe.

Not only that, the influence of these gangs extends beyond mere intimidation; they often seek to dominate and control local areas through displaying power and violence. This includes threatening residents, coercing them into compliance, and even resorting to murder over trivial disputes. These actions not only lead to loss of life but also create a deep sense of fear within the community.

Youth gang members do not listen to the command of their elders and even their own parents. They do not show respect to them too. Instead of showing respect, they openly dishonour them. This behaviour extends to respected community figures who remain silent out of fear of being dishonoured or retaliated against. The gangs contempt for societal norms is further evidenced by their public smoking, a deliberate act of defiance that disrespects the elders and flouts traditional values. Showing dishonour and disrespect of elderly people by the young in the society obviously destroys social structure.

Corruption has reached unprecedented levels, which creates a distorted reality where the corrupt appear to be in the right and the honest in the wrong. This pervasive corruption infiltrates every aspect of society. Can you get government service without giving extra money? It is totally impossible to obtain government services without resorting to bribery. Law enforcement officers, who should uphold justice, frequently engage in unlawful activities. Recent incidents different high profile officials vividly illustrate this troubling trend, highlighting the systemic nature of corruption and its deep-rooted impact on society. The rampant dishonesty and unethical behaviour undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the integrity of institutions meant to serve and protect the public.

The most heinous and unethical crime is the adulteration of food. As a fundamental necessity for all living beings, food is essential for survival, and its integrity is paramount. However, a group of morally degraded individuals, whose actions suggest a profound mental distortion, are tainting this vital resource. These individuals engage in food adulteration, compromising its safety and quality for personal gain. Such a crime reflects a deep-seated ethical corruption, as the perpetrators knowingly endanger countless lives by contaminating the very sustenance that people rely on to live. Their actions not only threaten public health but also betray a complete disregard for human well-being and ethical standards.

It is often said that conscience is the best judge of ones actions, but for these individuals, their conscience has died. A person guided by a healthy conscience could never commit such immoral acts. Their lack of ethical awareness and disregard for the well-being of others reveal a profound moral decay, making it clear that they no longer listen to the inner voice that distinguishes right from wrong.

There come some important questions "Why is morality degrading?" Why are ethical issues becoming valueless? What are the reasons behinds this social decay?  The reasons are clear. We are not teaching morality to our children. As home is the first and foremost educational place, children must be taught morality at home. Moral teaching is not highlighted in educational institutions too. This neglect in imparting ethical guidance at home results in children growing up without a solid moral foundation, making them more susceptible to engaging in unethical behaviours. The absence of moral education from parents undermines the development of a strong conscience.

To build up a balanced and liveable society, emphasis must be given on moral education.Addressing moral degradation issues requires collective action at multiple levels-educational, governmental, and societal.

Efforts must focus on re-establishing moral integrity, fostering respect for the rule of law, and promoting ethical behaviour from grassroots to governance. Only through a concerted commitment to ethical renewal and responsible citizenship can we hope to rebuild a foundation of trust, ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, and cultivate a harmonious and prosperous society for future generations.

The writer is an Assistant Professor of English, Principal Kazi Faruky College, Lakshmipur


LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Is a full-scale war in Middle East imminent?  
How UN stays relevant by prolonging ME crisis
Unchanging value of literature in the age of algorithms
Teachers should focus on social justice in classrooms
Our fiscal transparency in the report of USA
Joviality in self exploration
The observance of the world teacher's day in the new light
Natural gas crisis in Bangladesh: Is LNG the only solution?
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: info©dailyobserverbd.com, news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝