where those who do not deserve respect are given respect

अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यन्ते पूजनीया न पूज्यते।

त्रीणि तत्र प्रवर्तन्ते दुर्भिक्षं मरणं भयं॥

स्कान्दपुराणे॥

apūjyā yatra pūjyante pūjanīyā na pūjyate|

trīṇi tatra pravartante durbhikṣaṁ maraṇaṁ bhayaṁ||

skāndapurāṇe||

In places and situations where those who do not deserve respect are given respect and are even worshipped,

and where

those who really deserve lots and lots of respect

but are ignored or even sidelined and insulted

Three things happen there.

Famine.scarcity for food

Death

and

Great fear

This is a quote from Skaanda Puraanam

Of course, it is for the constituents of the society to decide as to whom they should respect and follow.. but then their life and welfare would depend on their choice..

If the wrong one is chosen, wrong things can happen.