Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Life term

It was difficult to find a politician being jailed for even corruption in independent India. But the life sentence awarded to the RJD MP from Siwan, Md. Shahabuddin, in the case of kidnapping and murder of Chhote Lal Gupta, CPI (ML) worker, eight years ago has changed the impression that politicians are above the law. Although the Election Commission has made efforts to curb the criminalisation of politics by making it harder for candidates with criminal records to contest elections, it has not succeeded much. The problem is: most of the cases against politicians have not been proved. They get away for years by appealing in higher courts. Let us hope the time will come soon when all criminal politicians will be sent to where they belong.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha

It is ironical that with numerous criminal cases pending against him, Mr. Shahabuddin was allowed to walk the streets freely all these years. Unless political parties distance themselves from criminals by denying the ticket to them, ending criminalisation of politics will remain a distant dream.

H.P. Murali,
Bangalore

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