criminalisation of politics challenge to indian democracy

Abstract

newline Besides the dark shadow of terrorism, prevalent social inequalities, communal tensions, severe economic disparities and demon of poverty the most serious problem being faced by the Indian democracy was criminalization of politics. newline Criminalization of politics meant use of politics or political power by self-interest-seeking persons for pecuniary or nefarious gains. Usually, it was found that political power had been or was being used by some persons for the attainment of undue privileges and when this was rampant in the arena of politics, it was generally known as criminalization of politics. Criminalization of politics had become an all-pervasive phenomenon. At one time politicians hired criminals to help them win elections by booth capturing. Now, those same criminals had begun entering parliament and the state legislature. newline An important reason for the criminalization of politics was the prevalent system of power where there was little transparency in the exercise of power by the State. With the assumption of such a vast power, the scope for misusing that power also increased. Another major reason behind the entry of criminals into politics was to gain influence and ensure that cases against them were dropped or not proceeded with. They were able to make it big in the political arena because of their financial clout. Political parties tapped persons with criminal background for fund raising and in return provided them with political patronage and protection. Mafia dons, anti-social elements, persons of criminal background and other powerful gangsters had shown that they could convert their muscle power into votes often at gun point. Voters in many parts in the country were forced to vote for such elements. Tickets were given to the candidates with criminal records even by the National Parties. All this showed that democracy in India had largely failed to be what it was meant to be because the electoral system had been perverted. Indian politics had been corrupted because the corrupt and criminal