Corruption is a worldwide problem that takes many forms. Corruption in the form of bribery is commonplace in India. The Anti Corruption movement, 5th Pillar in Chennai began a “Zero Rupee” campaign. They began distributing “Zero Rupee” notes to Indian citizens to give to any civil servant they come across that asks for a bribe. The Zero Rupee Note serves as a protest of this trend. Protesting with something tangible has proven to be a powerful force. Powerful enough to affect the actions of civil servants to break down the bribe culture.

Landscape of Corruption

The dominant baksheesh culture—tipping, charitable giving and ultimately bribery in the case of public officials. This has overwhelmed India for years. It is especially straining on the lower classes. This kind of corruption denies people their entitlement to basic services. Many of these services which may be free by law. But bribery results in the poor finding themselves at the losing end of the corruption chain. Bribes are demanded for things like electricity connections. As well as getting ones car out of the impound lot. Every encounter with a civil servant came with an extra fee from which that individual directly profited. The Zero Rupee note looks identical to a 50 Rupee note. But with zero (0) instead of the number 50 and a logo for the 5th Pillar in the corner. The development of the note was a response to everyday corruption.

Corruption in Everyday Encounters

For people who didn’t know what else to do or did not know how to stand up to these people, the Zero Rupee serves as a concrete “no” to the bribe request.

In the case of one woman living in Chennai City, India, she came across the Compulsive Bribe culture when attempting to get a title in her name for the land she owned. She wanted to use it as collateral for a bank loan for her granddaughter’s college. The public service of obtaining the title should have been free of charge. But instead the grandmother was asked to pay a fee to the Revenue Department official for his services. A year and a half passed and because of her inability to pay the bribe. The woman was unable to receive the title and finance her granddaughter’s college tuition.

This all changed when the grandmother came into contact with the NGO the 5th Pillar which circulates the Zero Rupee notes. The Zero Rupee notes specifically deal with problems like this. Armed with her own Zero Rupee Note she handed it to the official who had been denying her service without a bribe. His response was awe. Surprised by her defiance, the official offered the woman a cup of tea with a seat to wait. The official eventually provided her with the long awaited land title. Retracting his bribe request entirely.

The Impact of Protesting with Tangible Symbols

In numerous other cases, the use of the Zero Rupee Note tactic has resulted in breaking down the bribe culture. As one civil servant after another has received the note. The impact of this tactic has been strong. It has given people the opportunity to regain control of their daily lives in India. Protesting with something tangible has proven to be a powerful force. Powerful enough to affect the actions of civil servants.

According to the 5th Pillar movement, they see the issue of corruption in the form of bribery as a worldwide issue, not just in India. They have designed “zero” bills for several different countries. They hope to transfer this tactic to a larger, international community. To put an end to corruption by bribery.

This tactic has been effective in India in part because of the laws against the use of bribery. It is punishable by jail time. This tactic would be most easily transferred to countries where there is a similar culture of fear for getting caught asking for bribes. The tactic also requires direct contact from person to person. The Zero Rupee must be handed over to the person. It may be less practical at higher, more complex levels of corruption.