A disturbing 44% of current Members of Parliament (MPs) in India are involved in criminal proceedings, according to a survey by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), which paints a dire image of the political climate in the country. Remarkably, five percent of these MPs are billionaires, suggesting a troubling relationship between money and political influence. The data also reveals how concentrated this tendency is geographically: states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh account for half of the MPs charged with crimes.
More concerning is the character of these criminal accusations. A noteworthy 29% of MPs with criminal histories have been connected to major crimes, such as claims of murder, attempted murder, and crimes against women. The fact that people entrusted with legislative responsibility are involved in horrible crimes against society highlights how serious the situation is.
The issue known as the criminalization of politics is best exemplified by the widespread infiltration of people with a criminal past into the political arena. This phrase captures the sneaky way that lawbreakers, crooks, and dishonest people seep into the political system and use their power for their own benefit. Their presence jeopardises the welfare of the country and its residents in addition to undermining the integrity of the democratic system.
The high rate of criminal activity among legislators is a serious threat to democracy because it erodes public confidence and undermines the fundamentals of government.
A deliberate effort to preserve the values of accountability, openness, and moral behaviour in politics is necessary to combat this disease. We can only stop the criminalization trend and protect the integrity of our political institutions by working together and demonstrating an unflinching commitment to maintaining democratic norms.
India’s criminalization of politics is a complex problem with many underlying causes. Growing linkages between criminals and political parties are one of the main causes of this concerning trend. Parties with criminal records frequently receive tickets from this unholy partnership in exchange for cash, political clout, or physical strength. Such cooperation not only jeopardises the integrity of the democratic process but also feeds the political arena’s corruption and criminality cycle.
The absence of strict laws regulating the election process is a major additional factor aggravating the issue. Campaign financing, criminal record disclosure, and candidate eligibility requirements are just a few of the concerns that inadequate laws and regulations fail to adequately address. This absence of regulations leaves gaps that dishonest people looking to enter politics with evil intent take advantage of.
Moreover, criminalization is accelerated by the widespread impact of money power in elections. Some people use their wealth to purchase votes, tamper with election results, and gain political power for improper purposes. The electoral process is distorted by this monetization of democracy, which also threatens the fundamental democratic tenets of accountability, openness, and justice.
Political criminality has far-reaching effects outside of the electoral sphere. By undermining public confidence in the electoral process and delegitimizing the results of free and fair elections, it poses a serious threat to democracy itself. Additionally, the entry of criminals into politics erodes public workers’ integrity and lowers the standard of governance, which worsens the provision of basic services and the defence of people’ rights.
Furthermore, the corrupt actions of politicians with criminal inclinations cause harm to the social fabric of society. Widespread corruption reduces public trust in institutions and widens social divides by weakening the moral foundation of society, encouraging a climate of impunity, and undermining the rule of law.
Even though there have been attempts to address the problem of political criminalization through judicial intervention—such as the historic decisions in Public Interest Foundation v. UOI (2018) and Lily Thomas v. UOI (2013)—the influence of criminals in politics has only been partially reduced by these rulings. More extensive reforms are required to properly battle the epidemic of political criminality and preserve the integrity of India’s democratic institutions. These reforms should include campaign funding rules, improvements in transparency and accountability, and electoral reforms.
Lessening the criminalization of politics through careful candidate selection and election-related procedures:
A strong democracy depends on electing the appropriate Member of Parliament (MP). To assist you in making an informed choice, follow these steps:
1. Recognise the Function of an MP:
In the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, MPs represent their constituents and actively participate in legislative processes while also advancing national growth. They are accountable for presenting legislation, engaging in bill debates, and representing their constituents’ interests. Members of Parliament carry out their mission as elected representatives of the people by speaking up for the interests and concerns of the people they serve. They also have a significant influence on the laws and policies that shape the country.
2. Understand Your Constituency:
Good representation requires an understanding of one’s constituency. This entails finding out what concerns the community finds most important, performing demographic research, and determining the main obstacles and goals. MPs can effectively represent their constituents by becoming knowledgeable about the distinct needs and characteristics of their constituency. This will enable them to advocate for pertinent policies, address concerns, and work towards realising the aspirations of the people they represent.
3. Assess Candidates:
Consider factors other than political party. Think about the person’s:
-Track Record: Evaluate their prior contributions, attendance, and involvement in the legislature.
– Character: Look into their devotion, honesty, and integrity.
– Accessibility: Verify whether they interact with voters and respond to their issues.
4. Attend Public Meetings and Debates:
It is essential to attend public meetings and debates in order to comprehend the perspectives of candidates and evaluate their eligibility for government. Attending town halls, debates, and rallies allows voters to watch how candidates handle inquiries from the public and engage with them. This in-person observation offers perception into the candidates’ ability to communicate, familiarity with the subject matter, and receptivity to voter concerns. Voters who are informed about political events are better able to make informed decisions and hold elected officials responsible for their deeds and words.
5. Read Manifestos and Agendas:
Voting with knowledge requires reading party manifestos and individual candidate agendas. Voters can evaluate how well a candidate fits the unique demands and goals of their constituency by looking over their pledges. Voters can assess which candidate or party is most qualified to handle regional issues and realise community goals by using this comparative analysis. Voters are essentially empowered to make decisions that represent the interests and welfare of their community when they thoroughly examine political agendas.
6. Discuss with Locals:
Talking with activists, community leaders, and neighbours can give you important information about a candidate’s reputation and suitability for government. Voters obtain a more comprehensive knowledge of a candidate’s performance, integrity, and compatibility with community values by hearing their thoughts and viewpoints. By ensuring that their selections represent the views and concerns of their community as a whole, these discussions assist voters in making well-informed decisions.
7. Verify Assets and Criminal Records:
To view applicants’ assets, liabilities, and criminal histories, go to the Candidate Affidavit Portal. To make well-informed decisions, electoral processes must be transparent. Voters can evaluate a candidate’s character, finances, and legal background by carefully reading their affidavits, which helps them make well-informed decisions while casting their ballots. Voters are better able to support democratic values of accountability and transparency when they have access to such information.
Visit the [Candidate Affidavit Portal]( https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/ ) to check candidates’ criminal records, assets, and liabilities
8. Consider Local Issues:
Candidates that show a commitment to tackling regional problems like jobs, infrastructure, healthcare, and education should be given preference. Voters can ensure effective representation and meaningful change at the grassroots level by electing politicians who comprehend and prioritise the unique needs of the community. By putting local issues first, voters may choose representatives who are committed to raising the standard of living and tackling the problems that their community faces.
9. Vote Wisely:
On election day, use your right to vote sensibly by endorsing the candidate whose principles coincide with your own and who exhibits a sincere desire to further the interests of your community. Acknowledge that every vote matters and that it shapes the destiny of your country and community. Making educated decisions and engaging in the political process are vital steps towards determining the course of government and guaranteeing responsible representation.
10. Remain Updated:
Keep up with the candidates’ activities during their term. Take part in local governance actively to make sure they are held accountable. Keep an eye on their decisions and actions on a regular basis to stay informed about their performance. Attend town halls, community meetings, and other gatherings where you may raise issues, pose questions, and demand accountability from elected authorities. You can support a more robust democratic process and make sure that elected officials carry out their duties to the people by remaining educated and participating.