Date:20/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/20/stories/2002082000571003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Criminalising politics

Sir, — Civil society groups in Delhi have represented to the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, that the recent amendment to the Representation of the People Act is unconstitutional and that the citizens have to know the antecedents of the candidates as a fundamental right (Aug. 18). The Constitution was framed by honest people and they did not envisage criminals entering politics. By the amendment one can infer that Governments bank on criminals. It is time the Election Commission, the Supreme Court and the new President rescued the citizens from criminals.

B.S. Ganesh,
Bangalore