This parable by Premchand about an incorruptible Indian tax inspector ends with an interesting moral dilemma. The idealistic young man refuses a huge bribe and arrests a wealthy zamindar (land baron) for smuggling salt. Because of his “connections”, the zamindar walks free and the inspector is suspended for being over-zealous. Shortly afterwards, the clever zamindar offers the young man a highly-paid job overseeing his properties. He seems happy to cheat the government, but needs someone honest to stop people cheating him. The young man’s dilemma: should he work for such a person? Themes: individual and systemic corruption, integrity, moral compromise.
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