Undoubtedly, the political parties endorse the entry of criminals in

politics considering the winnability factor. Despite the intervention

of EC, Supreme Court and watchdog media, the scourge of
criminality is still prevalent, writes ​Ashwini Ahuja
Criminality In Politics

Whenever the season of elections comes; the debate over the tickets to the
candidates of criminal-background heats up. All political parties irresponsibly
give tickets to such candidates without bothering the gravity of the crimes
they have committed. Media, TV channels repeatedly focus on the issue.
Sometimes, down to enormous pressure and clamour over the dispensation,
parties replace their candidates but over the election, all things are settled
down because the all political parties know the habit of voters forgetting
things.
If we recall back, during the past 62 years, no ruling partyhhjd either in the
centre or at states has endeavored to weed out criminality in politics. The
presence of criminals in parliament and state assemblies are widespread. No
government has ever thought over the need of any independent creditable
agency which could investigate the criminal cases against politicians. Why it
so happens? Analysts say, obviously it is the criminal-politician nexus that
stop the parliamentarians passing the legislation that would get rid of the
corrupt and criminal elements in politics. Political parties know the criminals
have the guts to win elections by hook or by crook. Politicians opt for them
considering their winnability factor.
Politicians are aware they can convert their muscle power into votes.
Criminal history reveals that they enter politics to gain influence so that the
cases against them are dropped or not proceeded with. Thanks to their
financial clout they are able to get a significant place for them in politics.
Political parties too use the blow of criminals in elections judging the muscle
and money blend in them. Also, they tap them for funds and in return
provide them with political patronage and protection as well.
No doubt, under the Supreme Court’s orders, the Election Commission has
made it mandatory for candidates, before filling the nomination, to disclose
the details of their property, details of criminal background (if any), their
liabilities to public financial institutions plus their educational qualifications.
It is a first good step which has been taken to remove the criminal elements
from our houses. To tackle the problem in totality, apart from judiciary and
election commission, the government also should pass legislation. But the
pertinent question is: will the government do? If a law is enacted to check
on their criminal record, it would not be possible for them to escape, so, if
you are- as a common man of the country- dreaming a good time ahead
when criminals might be shunted out of politics, you are having your head in
the clouds.
Pragmatically, eradicating the criminality in politics at present is one of the
toughest tasks. It has captured an immeasurable space in politics. The
National Commission to review the working of the constitution also points
out that criminalization has become a disquieting characteristic of India's
politics and its electoral system. Large sections of society have always
condemned the presence of criminals in parliament and assemblies and also
they have done their efforts to eliminate the scourge. But it is not enough.
We sensibly need to find out the concrete ways how we can pressurize the
government maximum enacting the law & purging the system et al.
In reality, no government is ever serious thanks to its selfish motives. We
are also remained unsuccessful to convince our voters who play significant
role in choosing criminal candidates. We enjoy when they play foul games.
We all are not united. Some of us glorify murderers and scoundrels. Don’t
wonder if we, in the years to come, see their dominance stronger in politics.
Because of such criminals, our democracy has become unjust where political
parties are compelled to buy MPs or MLAs to the save or to fall off the
governments.
Don’t surprise, in the present election also despite the pressure and media
campaign, Congress, BJP; BSP & Samajwadi Party- all have fielded the
candidates of criminal background respectively 24%, 29%, 19% & 43%. In
the last UP assembly elections also, out of the total 5,539 contested
candidates 965 had criminal records. In 1996, as many as 39 members of
the parliament faced criminal charges. In 1998 Lok Sabha elections, out of
the 500 candidates 72 had criminal proceedings pending against them.
In fact, politics is a safe place for criminals. Political power protects them
from facing the law of land. Likewise, they enjoy the bliss of their authority.
We have seen several hardcore criminals, murderers, rapists; scamsters
after joining the politics have become big leaders. Despite that their
inclination doesn’t change. They loot the country; encourage booth
capturing, murder, rape having connivance with the other groups of dons &
mafia but when the law does its course against them they instantly start
crying that the action against them is politically motivated.
Will Durant- one of world’s greatest philosophers had once written in his
book, in the last stage of the democracy, gangmen will rule. Criminals will
flourish joyfully. The law of the land will guarantee them full protection. If
they are in politics, they will commit crimes. They will not be arrested. If
arrested, they will not be convicted, if convicted, they will not imprisoned, if
imprisoned, they will be pardoned, if not pardoned, they will be allowed to
escape. Meanwhile if they are killed in encounter, the governments will bury
them with dignity and in their remembrance, memorials will be built.
No doubt, it is the picture of the last stage of the democracy we are now
watching. Should we celebrate the decay of democracy? If not, it is the time
to think seriously how we can thwart the dominance of criminality in politics.
All the leading political-parties itself should introspect; the loopholes in the
legal system should be plugged. The EC should act ruthlessly and more
strictly against all those parties that support candidates with criminal record.
Glorification of criminals is a bad practice; it must be checked for the welfare
of the democratic setup.