M A I L B A G

Alarming sign of functioning anarchy

I share H.K. Dua’s anguish and pain over the entry of criminals in Parliament and state legislatures. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a man of impeccable credentials and unimpeachable integrity. However, because of coalition compulsions he could not help but include people with criminal antecedents in his Cabinet.

Our political leaders have always been treating electoral reforms with contempt. When the Election Commission suggested that every candidate, while filing nomination papers, will have to disclose his/her qualifications, assets and criminal record, if any, an all-party meeting promptly rejected it.

Similarly, when the Central Vigilance Commission wanted more powers to deal with corrupt elements, the erstwhile BJP-led NDA government curtailed his powers. If the CVC is deprived of his right to book a corrupt officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and above without the prior permission of the government, it makes a mockery of the democratic system. The increasing criminalisation of politics is an alarming sign of functioning anarchy.

Major NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), Mohali

II

Our electoral system is entirely responsible for the current systemic malaise. Had the electoral system been so powerful, too many criminals would not have taken seats in Parliament and state legislatures. Nehru once said that if the people were not vigilant, governance would pass into the hands of the strong-muscled and loud-throated criminals. With time, it has come true.

Elections have become the monopoly of the rich people and criminals. There is a joke that political parties put rotten apples before us and give us the option to choose any one of them!

The Representation of People Act 1951 should be amended in a manner that as and when an FIR is registered against a person for any offence, he/she should be barred to fight the election till acquitted by the competent authority.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

III

Mr Dua’s editorial is an eye-opener. His warning is timely. Parliament must take immediate steps to ban the entry of criminals in Parliament and state legislatures. Parliament of the world’s largest democracy must have some sanctity and high moral standards to demonstrate to other countries rather than becoming a laughing stock itself.

If nothing is done now in this respect immediately, time will come when the laws and budgets in Parliament will be passed not through debate and discussion but on the basis of fisticuffs and at gunpoint. For God’s sake, let us save our great country from such a situation.

A.K.D. SARDANA, Nangal Township

IV

Much has been written about criminalisation of politics; but the powers which can prevent the drift are in a state of comatose. The situation is really alarming. The politicians are busy in advancing their own interests. During the Czar’s Russia, there was only one Rasputin, but our present system is full of Rasputins. The the political parties and the government need to be blamed for the malady. The system lacks the will to weed out the criminals.

Surely, the remedy lies with the voters. They should lead from the front and vote out criminals. Keeping in view the present situation, we can modify a famous Urdu couplet thus: “Har shukh pe dasnumbri betha hai, angame gulstan kya hoga”.

H.S. BADHON, Hoshiarpur

V

Our power-hungry politicians should keep in mind that if they do not pass a law banning the entry of criminals into politics, the Indian society will soon be full of culprits and convicts. One can already notice a rapid decline in values that are vital to discipline and sustain a nation.

Thanks to our politicians, the present breed of leaders run after pelf and power which they are always keen to possess and enhance by fair or foul means. Their brazen reliance on the lawbreakers is an ominous sign because if will increase terrorism and disruptive forces.

Dr KAMLESH UPPAL, Patiala

VI

There is a strong nexus between the politicians and the criminals. If criminals are able to enter the State Assemblies and Parliament and make laws, it is because of the absence of an appropriate law, the political parties’ inclination and, the people’s verdict.

Parliament should pass a law banning criminals’ entry. The sooner it is done, the better it will be. The people should also be blamed for casting their votes in favour of the criminals.

During elections, people weigh the contesting candidates with coins, knowing well that they have already accumulated a lot illegally. Once in power, they empty the treasury and appoint unfit people on higher posts. Merit is ignored at every step.

KARAN SINGH BAWWA, Rewari