The Hindu : Crime & politicians

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 22, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Crime & politicians

Sir, - Exactly that part which you have welcomed in your Editorial, "Neutralising the court" (July 20) seems to be politically tactical. The crimes of murder, dacoity, rape, kidnapping and all that fall under the purview of POTA, which are no doubt, "heinous" and committed by "individuals", maybe with the help of accomplices and the gains are "personal" and shared according to the "help" rendered. But the election of a "criminal" — professional as well as amateur — itself is not "approval" of criminality and he or she cannot be taken to represent the "criminal interest" of the electorate. Of course, he or she may use that position to aid and abet the crimes committed or to be committed. This is "in principle".

In the practical plane also, the "bosses" of gangs, who may be often referred to as leaders, in modest political terms, may not involve themselves in the "heinous" acts "individually". They quite often remain "out of frame". It would be ideal to ask the contestants to list all the charges framed or filed against them, genuine or implanted, for "heinous" or moderate crimes, before the electorate. Of course they are given ample scope during the campaign to defend or deny any commissions and omissions. The electorate, at large, is there to judge, trust and entrust their representation to the most "suited".

R. K. Divakara,

Bangalore

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