M A I L B A G

Keep criminals out of politics

HK. Dua’s front-page editorial, “When a criminal can sit in the Union Cabinet” (Nov 30) was thought-provoking. There was a period when criminals were financing politicians but now criminals themselves are becoming ministers, MPs and MLAs. We don’t have any system to throw them out of the temples of democracy. All political parties — at the Centre and in the states — have legislators who are believed to be hardened criminals and history-sheeters facing charges from murder to bribery. Corruption is another dimension of the problem. A politician starts his career by signing a false affidavit regarding his sources of income and property. In such a scenario, no honest person can think of contesting an election.

The business class, in principle, does not support honest politicians as otherwise, they will obstruct their illegal activities. Political leaders, instead of criticising criminalisation of politics, take solace in the fact that their party is a lesser evil than the other.

Dr MANDEEP SINGH,G.N. Khalsa College, Yamunanagar

II

The common people have become the worst losers in this game of criminalisation of politics. Why should criminals be allowed to contest the elections at all? They sit in Parliament or state legislatures, make laws and break them at will. Mr Shibu Soren and Ms Mayawati are persons of dubious distinction and the front-page editorial exposed their shoddy conduct.

I sincerely feel that the ruling party is largely responsible for the increasing corruption and criminalisation of politics. How can scams and scandals be prevented when the ruling party itself is involved in them? But this is preventing the enforcement agencies from bringing the culprits to book which in itself is corruption by another name.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR,

Jalari,Hamirpur (HP)

III

The front-page editorial is thought provoking. No, our political system should not serve as a sanctuary for the corrupt and the criminal. We boast of being the world’s largest democracy and claim rich traditional values. Still we do not mind keeping tainted persons in our Council of Ministers.

Our judiciary deserves praise and admiration for exposing tainted politicians. We should stop protecting tainted persons. Only those with a clean record and known for sincerity and integrity should be made ministers. The cleaning process should start from the top without any delay even at the risk of losing power.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh

IV

We need to overhaul the system completely to root out criminals from the institutions of governance. It is, no doubt, a difficult task, if not impossible in the near future. When a person like Abu Salem wants to contest the ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh, it seems as if the present political system has become the last destination of the criminals and the corrupt.

Worse, instead of throwing them behind bars, these criminals and tainted politicians are given tickets by the political parties to contest the elections and then rewarded with ministerial berths depending on their clout and muscle power. I am, however, happy that The Tribune has raised its voice against this blot on the system.

Prof RANJIT SINGH DHANOA, Govt College, Malerkotla

V

Our electoral system does require changes to ban criminals. The political parties are propping up criminals, scamsters and history-sheeters with impunity and vengeance. The UPA, like the NDA, is encouraging criminals. Why should the UPA give ministerial berths to tainted politicians?

All political parties should rise above petty political considerations and project a cleaner image by shunning criminals. The voters should also be more vigilant in exercising their franchise judiciously to save democracy.

GURDEV SINGH,Mohali

VI

Mr Dua’s call to keep the criminals out of the political system is perfectly justified and the government should heed his advice by banning criminals from contesting any election.

Though we have attained Independence after a long struggle and our democracy is under a grave threat from these criminal-turned politicians. Certainly, the onus is on the political parties themselves. They should not look at their narrow partisan ends but national interest. They should take a leaf from the editorial, see the writings on the wall before it is too late to save our hard won freedom.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI,Dialpura (Mohali)

UT helpline on food, drugs   The Chandigarh UT Health Department’s Helpline to entertain complaints regarding drugs and food is welcome. As people are unaware about  the legal recourse they need to take in case they are unhappy with the services being provided, there was need for an effective interface between the Health Department and the public. The Helpline facility will direct the needy to the relevant departments. Hope there will be no chaos anymore and this facility would prove worthy of people’s expectations. ISHU GUPTA, Chandigarh