M A I L B A G

Tainted should have no place in the system

H K. Dua’s front-page editorial, “Co-opting the crooks” (May 11) is quite timely. Our politicians should be ideal for good governance. But this is not possible with the presence of criminals in the system. The corrupt politicians are becoming richer day by day without any moral values. In prosperous Punjab, according to a recent survey, 38 per cent of the population have an income of less than Rs 30,000 a year.

The time has come for our leaders at the Centre and in the states to be honest and ideal. They must be role models for the citizens. The 150-year celebrations of the 1857 Freedom Struggle shall be fruitful only if all of us, especially leaders, take the lead in fighting criminalisation of politics and corruption. Social justice and economic development are the need of the hour.

S.K. MITTAL,Panchkula

II

Mr Dua’s editorial is a brave and timely warming which Indian politicians must read word by word. They must strive for two goals. One, to evolve a system to keep off the power structure those involved in kidnappings, rape, murder, extortion, human trafficking and so on. And two, we must listen to the Election Commission and the Supreme Court carefully and feel concerned about the danger the nation and the political system are facing from the crooks.

The media will be doing a yeoman’s service to the nation if it joins Mr Dua in this most sacred task of showing the correct path to our political masters and make them act before it is too late.

Dr T.R. SHARMA,Patiala

III

The editorial highlights the steady deterioration in our polity coupled with crime in all its manifestations. Lofty ideals such as simplicity, dedication, selflessness, integrity, patriotic fervour and concern for nation building are not discernible in our political system. This trend is really disturbing.

Politics has become the art of gaining power and the craft of retaining it by hook or by crook. The disturbing nexus of politics with crime is the root cause of violence and terrorism in our socio-political milieu. That is why, politics has become the last refuge of scoundrels, lawbreakers and extortionists.

The remedy lies in enacting a suitable legislation enshrining such deterrent conditions as maximum age, minimum education and maximum number of stints to prevent the entry of undesirable elements.

JARNAIL SINGH BRAR, Bathinda

IV

Politics in India serves as a sanctuary for murderers, history sheeters, rapists and scamsters. Our political scenario is quite disgusting. Under the existing law of the land, these lawbreakers should have been behind bars but after they manage entry into the power corridors, they thrive and share the spoils of office. Paradoxically, lawbreakers assume the role of lawmakers.

Before Shahabuddin’s conviction, the former Union Coal Minister and JMM leader Shibu Soren was given life imprisonment in a murder case. Despite his alleged involvement in the infamous Rs 900-crore fodder scam, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav is lending grace to the Union Cabinet as Railway Minister. Babubhai Katara and others are doing well in their field of expertise - human trafficking by misusing their passports.

The unassertive executive is playing havoc with the system. Untrammeled powers to the Election Commission can steer clear India of the present abyss of despair.

KARNAIL SINGH, Kharar

V

Mr Dua rightly says that India is being wrecked from within by the crooks of the land, many of whom sit in Parliament and State Assemblies. If we want peace, prosperity and rule of law, we must find ways to keep criminals and the corrupt off Parliament and state legislatures.

If for some reason, Parliament or the Election Commission are enable to prevent criminals and corrupt people from entering Parliament, the Supreme Court must find a solution to the problem in public interest. Those charge-sheeted or convicted by courts should be barred from filing nomination papers for elections.

Brig DALIP SINGH SIDHU (retd), Patiala