CRIMINALIZATION OF POLITICS IN INDIA


The criminalization of politics means the participation of criminals in politics. This means that persons with criminal backgrounds contest in the election and get selected as a member of parliament or state legislature. It is said that the politics had reached a stage where the lawmakers became the lawbreakers. In a democratic country like India, the increasing nexus between criminals and politics threatens the survival of true democracy. It is now becoming a trend, people with criminal backgrounds have more influence in politics than people without criminal backgrounds.

The increasing percentage of members of parliament who have a criminal background:

2004- 24% , 2009-30% , 2014-34% , 2019-43%


Nearly 50% of MPs in the new Lok Sabha have criminal records. The increasing number of members with criminal records in parliament threatens the survival of any true democracy. To get undue favour through the use of political power is a crime. The term crime means an action which constitutes a serious offence of an individual or the state and is punishable by law. And gaining something by the use of political power is a crime and is punishable by law. Politics and political crime are not new. Even in ancient times, political crime will take place because the person wants to go for higher gains or higher posts.


CAUSES OF CRIMINALIZATION OF POLITICS:

The most important cause of the criminalization of politics is the unholy nexus between politicians and bureaucracy. This undesirable and dangerous relationship between bureaucracy and political leaders opened the doors to the criminalization of politics. Caste and religion both are responsible for the criminalization of politics. In a bureaucracy, there are certain procedures and rules for the promotion. But caste and religion both interfere in this process. In many states, less qualified civil servants get a promotion. The quota system is also fully responsible for this. And it is also found that a minister of a particular caste or religion will distribute favour to the members of his caste and religion. It is found in many states of India.

 The system of party government is also responsible for the criminalization of politics. On the eve of the general election, the leaders of the party give promises to the electorate. But when the political party comes to power then they will do nothing for the members who make the political party wins, the funds which are given by the government for the public welfare and to complete their need and want but the political party use those funds or money for their purpose and this also comes in the criminalization of politics.


REASONS FOR THE CRIMINALIZATION:


Vote Bank

The political parties and individuals have astronomical expenditures for vote-buying and other illegitimate purposes through which these people are so-called goondas. A politician's link with the constituency provides a congenial climate for a political crime.

Corruption

Corruption also plays a very important role in the criminalization of politics. Every political member is corrupted. He can do anything with their powers.

 Lack of governance

In India, the distinctive thing is that left politics is a deep chasm between saying and doing. This happens at two levels. By the lack of governance, there should be no proper agenda and not follow proper functions because of the lack of governance.


 Lack of Enforcement

Several laws and court judgments have not helped much, due to the lack of enforcement of laws and judgments.

 Vested Interests

Publishing the entire criminal history of candidates fielded by political parties may not be very effective, as a major chunk of voters tend to vote through a narrow prism of community interests like caste or religion

Use of Muscle and Money Power

Candidates with serious records seem to do well despite their public image, largely due to their ability to finance their elections and bring substantive resources to their respective parties.



WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CRIMINALIZATION ON POLITICS?


Against the Principle of Free and Fair Election


It limits the choice of voters to elect a suitable candidate. It is against the ethos of free and fair election which is the bedrock of a democracy.


Affecting Good Governance


The major problem is that the law-breakers become lawmakers, this affects the efficacy of the democratic process in delivering good governance.

These unhealthy tendencies in the democratic system reflect a poor image of the nature of India’s state institutions and the quality of its elected representatives.


Affecting Integrity of Public Servants


It also leads to increased circulation of black money during and after elections, which in turn increases corruption in society and affects the working of public servants.


Causes Social Disharmony


It introduces a culture of violence in society and sets a bad precedent for the youth to follow and reduces people's faith in democracy as a system of governance.


SUGGESTED MEASURES


● There should be an amendment in the RP act to debar those persons from contesting elections against whom any serious Nature of crimes is pending.

● A kind of awareness program should be started for voters to make them aware of their right to know the criminal background of the person to whom they are going to cast their votes.

● The election commission should be given more rights to prevent the criminalization of politics. A penalty should be inflicted on those political parties who give tickets to those persons who have a criminal background.



 

 CONCLUSION:


 Corruption and criminalization of politics are hitting at the roots of democracy. Therefore, Parliament has taken steps urgently to curb this menace. Candidates and political parties must give wide publicity to criminal cases pending against him or them, in the local media, both print and electronic, after he or she files nomination to contest elections.


● The increasing criminalization of politics and corruption hits the root of democracy.

● For regulating the affairs of the political party, it is essential to have a cleaner electoral process. Therefore, the electoral process is essential to strengthening the election commission.

● The publication of criminal records of the person who is contesting the election must be in such a manner that it is easily available to the general public, not on the party website because in rural areas most people don’t know the uses of the internet properly.



REFERENCE:


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/rationalthoughts/criminalization-of-politics-2-37946/

https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-988-criminalization-of-politics-in-india.html

https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/criminalization-of-politics-1



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