M A I L B A G

Criminals: MPs should find a solution

In his article “Criminals in the House: The danger is collective, so is the solution” (June 12), H.K. Dua has reminded the nation that criminals are criminals whether they are secular or communal. People watched the behaviour of their new MPs for nine days and many must have felt ashamed for having voted for them. But people’s feelings are of no value to them.

All responsible members should get together, cutting across party lines, to sort out the problem of tainted ministers. Mr Dua has rightly pointed out that no political leader has seriously tried so far to bar criminals from entering Parliament and the Assemblies. The political system in India is supposed to be matured now but our leaders must find an answer to this problem of tainted ministers.

Col J.S. CHANDEL (retd), Kalol (HP)

II

Our election process needs to be sanitised. The legislature, the judiciary and the Election Commission must work in close cooperation with each other to ensure that criminals are barred from contesting the elections. Even after over half a century’s experience in parliamentary democracy, we have still not been able to surmount the various ills afflicting our system. Parochial interests must be sacrificed at the altar of larger national interest. Only then we would be able to provide clean and effective governance.

Brig H.S. CHANDEL (retd), Malanger (HP)

III

Political parties have their own compulsions to help shady characters to run the affairs of the nation. Their only goal is to win maximum seats. Overnight, such elements become celebrities and efforts are made to project them as sacred cows.

KARNAIL SINGH, Ranjit Sagar Dam

IV

A country’s history is it’s mirror. The pitfalls reflected in its holds should be an eye-opener, not to be glossed over. The people have abetted the entry of tainted persons into the House. This was an act of sick society. The disease-ridden society needs a diagnosis. The country needs selfless social reformers and statesmen to put the ship of the sick society, on an even keel.

“Change is the law of nature, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world”. The theory of systems beckons towards a surgical feat. An Assembly comprising eminent jurists and statesmen (politicians excluded) should be entrusted with the task of framing a new Constitution with foolproof safeguards. Alike, the representation of People Act should be amended suitably. Physician heal thyself is the echo going around. Better to timely diagnose and give a surgical treatment before the virus of cancer debilitates the body politic.

V.I.K. SHARMA, IAS (retd), Jalandhar City

V

H.K. Dua has addressed a very serious issue in his thoughtful article. I also feel that the moneylenders, mafia dons and real criminals have joined politics. This is not a healthy and positive development in our polity. I firmly believe that in today’s politics, except the Left leaders, most politicians have been found to be tainted only with a degree of difference. They are miles away from simplicity and a purposeful life. Mentally and morally, they have become bankrupt and corrupt. They are neutral towards common people but quite friendly with the capitalists and the mafia dons.

As regards the question of running the Lok Sabha smoothly, it is the BJP leaders who are squarely to blame. These gentlemen are in no mood to discern the ground reality that they have lost the 14th general election. They wish to treat the people’s verdict with contempt.

Dr R.B. YADAV DEHATI, Kathmandi, Fatehabad

VI

Yesterday’s law-breakers have become today’s law-makers. This is too deep to be cured so easily because our politicians have become prisoners of partisan or criminal interests and thus pose a threat to parliamentary democracy. The political parties have failed to act as an instrument of political mobilisation and proper articulation of the people’s demands.

HANS RAJ JAIN, Moga (Punjab)

VII

In the nefarious game of criminalisation of politics, all political parties are equally responsible. For, to win an election, they depend on the money and muscle power of the criminals and the corrupt. This is a matter of grave concern. If the parties and political leaders become serious and the voters assert themselves, no criminal can dare distort the political system. There is a need to amend the electoral law suitably in a manner that criminals are totally barred from entering the electoral arena.

Prof K.L. BATRA, Yamunanagar

VIII

Mr Dua has rightly written that the Lok Sabha is still in crisis over the appointment of MPs with criminal record as ministers. The Opposition will stall the functioning of the House in the monsoon session also, with full vigour. Crores of rupees will go in waste. The first session has hardly done any business. Dr Manmohan Singh should either drop tainted ministers or help resolve the deadlock before the next session of Parliament. Better if the ministers concerned resign voluntarily.

R.S. HAMDARD, Hamirpur (HP)

Of Vajpayee’s leadership Is Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee the best Prime Minister India had? I am afraid, the answer is an emphatic No. The BJP, as part of its PR campaign, hailed Mr Vajpayee with twin motives. One, to divert the people’s attention from the party’s electoral defeat; and two, to obscure the images of leaders like Nehru and Indira Gandhi with that of Mr Vajpayee’s. Mr Vajpayee had consciously avoided taking decisive steps during any crisis situation. His keenness to create a niche in history as the first non-Congress PM to complete five years in office, perhaps, over-weighed in his mind, always. When caught in a piquant situation, he was trying softer options. His coterie conveniently bailed him out, terming this as “compulsions of coalition”. Lt-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), Mohali