WHEN PERVERSION OVERPOWERS COMMON SENSE

 

WHEN PERVERSION OVERPOWERS COMMON SENSE

Perversion does not always refer to an outwardly visible act. It can also represent a serious distortion of thought, judgment, morality and human values. When a person becomes excessively controlled by prejudice, greed, arrogance, hatred or blind ideological commitment, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong gradually diminishes. Common sense then becomes the first casualty, and even obvious truths are rejected merely because they do not suit a preferred narrative.

A perverted mind does not necessarily lack education or intelligence. On the contrary, an educated person may become more dangerous when knowledge is used without honesty, conscience or responsibility. Education should broaden the mind, strengthen character and deepen one’s commitment to truth. But when learning is separated from morality, intelligence may be reduced to a sophisticated instrument of manipulation. Such persons may use attractive expressions and complicated arguments to conceal intentions that ordinary common sense would immediately expose.

Forgetting the Earliest Lessons of Life

Most people learn certain elementary principles during childhood: speak the truth, respect others, remain grateful, protect the weak, honour one’s parents and teachers, and never betray those who place their trust in us. These early lessons constitute the moral foundation of civilised life. Unfortunately, people whose judgment has become distorted often forget these very basics after acquiring wealth, education, influence or social recognition.

They begin to imagine that success places them above ordinary morality. They may speak eloquently about justice while acting unfairly, demand accountability from others while refusing to examine their own conduct, and lecture society about tolerance while showing intolerance towards every opinion that differs from theirs. Their knowledge becomes selective, their morality becomes convenient, and their principles change according to personal advantage.

This is one of the clearest indications of moral perversion: a person remembers every right but forgets every duty; demands every freedom but rejects every responsibility; expects respect from society but shows no respect for its traditions, institutions or collective aspirations.

Why Perverted Elites Are Particularly Dangerous

The distortion of an ordinary individual may affect a limited circle. However, when such distortion enters the minds of influential elites, its consequences can spread throughout society. Elites often occupy positions in education, administration, journalism, entertainment, business, law, culture and public policy. Their words are amplified, their opinions receive attention, and their decisions can influence thousands or even millions of people.

For this reason, intellectual or moral corruption among elites cannot be treated as a minor personal weakness. A dishonest teacher may misguide an entire generation. A prejudiced commentator may deepen social divisions. An irresponsible public figure may normalise falsehood. A greedy decision-maker may sacrifice public welfare for private benefit. A culturally disconnected intellectual may teach young people to feel ashamed of their own civilisation.

Such people do not always attack society openly. Their methods may be polished, sophisticated and indirect. They may deliberately create confusion between criticism and contempt, freedom and irresponsibility, reform and destruction. They may selectively highlight every weakness of their own nation while remaining strangely silent about the failures of those from whom they seek approval.

When Greed Joins Intellectual Arrogance

Greed transforms distortion into a serious social threat. A person who possesses influence but lacks integrity may trade public confidence for money, position, publicity, awards or foreign recognition. Once personal ambition becomes greater than conscience, truth is treated as negotiable and national interest becomes secondary.

Greedy elites often present themselves as defenders of noble causes. They may use the language of liberty, equality, justice or human rights, yet their concern frequently appears selective. They raise their voices when a particular issue serves their ideological or financial interests, but remain silent when similar injustice affects people outside their preferred narrative. Such selective morality is not genuine compassion; it is calculated convenience.

The combination of greed and intellectual arrogance is especially harmful because it creates a person who is willing to compromise society but still considers himself morally superior. Such individuals rarely admit their mistakes. Instead, they dismiss ordinary citizens as ignorant whenever the public refuses to accept their arguments. They mistake professional status for wisdom and foreign appreciation for national legitimacy.

International Connections and the Possibility of Manipulation

International cooperation is neither improper nor undesirable. Bharat has always engaged with the world, exchanged knowledge and respected the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. Foreign friendships, academic exchanges, commercial relations and cultural cooperation can contribute enormously to national progress.

The danger arises when international connections are accompanied by greed, secrecy, ideological hostility or contempt for one’s own country. An individual who is desperate for foreign funding, recognition or protection may become vulnerable to external influence. Such a person can be encouraged to promote half-truths, exaggerate internal differences, weaken confidence in national institutions or manufacture narratives designed to create permanent distrust within society.

Modern conspiracies do not always arrive with weapons or armies. Sometimes they travel through misleading reports, manipulated information, selective activism, coordinated propaganda and seemingly respectable intellectual platforms. A nation may be weakened not only at its borders but also within its classrooms, newsrooms, institutions and cultural spaces. Therefore, vigilance regarding foreign influence is not hostility towards the world; it is a legitimate expression of national responsibility.

At the same time, allegations of conspiracy must never be made recklessly or without evidence. Genuine criticism, independent scholarship and lawful disagreement are essential features of democracy. The answer to questionable conduct must be facts, investigation and constitutional accountability—not suspicion based merely on disagreement or association.

The Crisis of the Pseudo-Elite

Today, Bharat appears to be confronted by a section of pseudo-elites who are uncomfortable with the nation’s civilisational confidence. They appear eager to criticise every expression of indigenous pride but hesitant to recognise Bharat’s achievements. They frequently interpret cultural awakening as intolerance, national unity as majoritarianism, self-reliance as isolation and civilisational confidence as backwardness.

They speak about diversity but often refuse to respect viewpoints outside their ideological circle. They demand freedom of expression for themselves but seek to silence those who challenge them. They preach tolerance yet ridicule faith, tradition and the cultural sentiments of ordinary citizens. They claim to represent the people while remaining disconnected from the experiences, struggles and aspirations of those very people.

Such individuals may possess degrees, designations and access to influential platforms, but these things alone do not make anyone wise. True intellectualism requires honesty, humility, courage and an openness to inconvenient facts. A person who merely repeats fashionable opinions, seeks approval from powerful circles and treats his own civilisation with contempt cannot claim moral or intellectual leadership.

Criticism Is Not the Enemy—Dishonesty Is

A mature democracy must always permit criticism of governments, institutions and public policies. No government is beyond scrutiny, and no institution is incapable of error. Responsible criticism strengthens democracy by identifying weaknesses and encouraging correction. Patriotism does not demand blind agreement, nor does national commitment require unquestioning obedience.

However, there is an important distinction between constructive criticism and deliberate distortion. Constructive criticism is based on facts, offers fair analysis and seeks improvement. Malicious propaganda suppresses inconvenient facts, magnifies division and seeks to damage public confidence. A genuine critic remains consistent in applying principles; a pseudo-intellectual changes standards according to political convenience.

Therefore, the issue is not whether someone agrees or disagrees with the government. The real question is whether the person acts honestly, responsibly and in accordance with constitutional values. Dissent deserves protection, but deception deserves exposure. Debate must be answered through debate, falsehood through evidence, and unlawful conduct through due process of law.

The Awakening of New Bharat

The encouraging development is that New Bharat is increasingly capable of recognising manipulation. Citizens are no longer entirely dependent upon a small group of self-appointed intellectual gatekeepers for information or interpretation. Technology, wider education and public participation have democratised national discourse. Ordinary people can examine claims, compare sources, question established narratives and publicly expose hypocrisy.

The people of Bharat have started asking difficult but necessary questions: Who benefits from a particular narrative? Why are certain incidents highlighted while others are ignored? Why is cultural pride condemned in Bharat but celebrated elsewhere? Why do some intellectuals demand accountability from every national institution while refusing transparency regarding their own affiliations and interests?

This growing awareness is a positive sign. It reflects not intolerance, but intellectual independence. The public is learning to distinguish between genuine scholarship and ideological performance, between principled activism and selective outrage, and between international cooperation and external manipulation.

How New Bharat Must Respond

New Bharat must respond firmly, but always constitutionally. No individual should be threatened, harassed or unlawfully punished merely for expressing an unpopular opinion. The strength of Bharat lies in its democratic institutions, constitutional protections and civilisational capacity to accommodate debate.

The proper answer to intellectual dishonesty is intellectual courage. The answer to propaganda is truthful information. The answer to conspiracy is lawful investigation. The answer to greed is transparency. The answer to social division is national unity. The answer to contempt for Bharat is a deeper understanding of its history, culture and achievements.

Those who misuse public influence must be held accountable through law, evidence and democratic scrutiny. Institutions should remain vigilant regarding undisclosed conflicts of interest, unlawful foreign influence, deliberate misinformation and activities threatening national security. Yet every action must follow due process, because the defence of the nation cannot be separated from the defence of its Constitution.

Truth Ultimately Prevails

False narratives may dominate public discussion for a time, but they cannot permanently defeat truth. Manipulation survives only while people remain uninformed, divided or indifferent. Once citizens awaken, question and unite, the influence of dishonest elites begins to collapse.

Bharat is not merely a geographical territory. It is a living civilisation shaped by sacrifice, knowledge, spirituality, courage and an extraordinary capacity for renewal. It has survived invasions, exploitation, division and repeated attempts to weaken its cultural foundations. Those who believe that this civilisation can be permanently misled underestimate both its memory and its strength.

The awakening of Bharat should not become a reason for arrogance; it should become a call to responsibility. National confidence must be accompanied by discipline, fairness and respect for the law. Our unity should not depend upon hatred for anyone. It should arise from love for the nation, respect for truth and commitment to the welfare of every citizen.

Let the pseudo-elites continue to underestimate the intelligence of ordinary Bharatiyas. Let those driven by greed believe that conscience can be purchased. Let those influenced by external interests imagine that Bharat can be divided through manufactured narratives. Time will demonstrate that an awakened civilisation cannot be deceived forever.

New Bharat knows how to answer falsehood—with truth; greed—with integrity; conspiracy—with vigilance; and contempt—with unshakable national confidence.

That awakening is indeed a good sign.

Stay aware. Remain united. Respect the Constitution. Protect the nation.

Joy Hind!

— Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court at Calcutta