In an interview with a TOI reporter, Rashid Ansari, Salems lawyer ,unknowingly provided a shockingly honest analysis of the political scenario, on a question as to what were the possibilities of Salem winning the elections, if he chose to enter the fray. An indication of the abyssmal state of Indian polity, a first hand picture which is reponsible for the gumption of criminal partcipation in governance.
A: Tell me, out of the politicians you see in UP or the other states, how many of them do not have criminal cases registered against them? You have examples of Raja Bhaiya (a minister), Mulayam Singh (Chief M inister), Mayawati (former Chief Minister) and Mukhtar Ansari (MLA) who is touted as a don. All these people have cases registered against them, and yet, they are out in the open and contesting elections. In Bihar you have the likes of Shahabuddin and Lalu Yadav’s brother-in-law, Sadhu Yadav.
Today, the electorate is fed-up with politicians who make false promises and do nothing for them. People have realised that politics is no longer a decent man’s cup of tea. The constituents of Mubarakpur believe that it’s some one like Salem who can survive in this and because of his popularity, he will be able to help and uplift them. You must visit the area to gauge the public mood.
Unquote
Any wonder then that a Gandhi cap might soon adorn the don !!
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Dreaded gangster Abu Salem presently lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai,is in search of ‘respectability’ by fighting elections in U.P. Whether donning the mantle of a politician alludes to that, is highly debatable. What perhaps nudged the decision was the similarity of milieu and mindset between his ‘yesterday’ and ‘tomorrow’. He was a criminal ‘on the run’ to now officially turn into a criminal in the ‘chair’.
Till a few years back, Salem spelt doom for the film industry. He was known to be a cold blooded gangster whose orders for ‘elimination’ of those who crossed his path,were delivered frequently. Arrested in Portugal, bringing him to India was no mean task for the police, since the extradition treaty norms created a hurdle. With the present turn of events, it would seem pertinent to add that his detention in no manner contributed to smooth functioning of judicial procedures, instead has ironically provided him scope for personal progress.
The question that comes uppermost at this news of ‘travesty of justice’, is information on those willing to back his ridiculous ambitions. BSP or Bharatiya Samaj Party is the organisation ‘willing to give him a chance’. To quote the National President Om Prakash Babbar “We are trying to get the “BEST” candidates to fight the elections”. Scary.
Any wonder then that voter turn out for major elections in India never exceed 45% of the electoral roll. On the one hand there is the gnawing thought of ‘getting the governments we deserve’ by not ensuring that only the ‘best’ come to power. On the other hand, when the ‘best’ sometimes is a criminal with various instances of extortions and murders to his discredit, the apathy is understandable.
Ashok Sarogi, counsel of Abu Salem claims that all expenses of Salem’s election campaign would be taken care of by BSP, as reported by Mid-day. Legally, an under trial is permitted to fight elections, until convicted. So what happens, in the event of a conviction after having won the elections? Simple. Manipulations of records for a politician is hardly an issue losing sleep over. What were our ‘Founding Fathers’ thinking when passing such horrendously antiquated, unjustifiable laws? Lacunae, beg to be exploited.
Consider this.Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world’s land area, it supports over 15% of the world’s population. However for offices in governance , our options include criminals. Is this a reflection of our stupidity, paucity of eminent citizens willing to join politics, or simply a resigned fatalistic mentality towards polity or rather lack of it?
Ironically, Abu salem may be disallowed from ‘voting’, states the jail superintendent, since undertrials and prisoners could not as per law..Are we supposed to, at this, raise our hands in thankfulness to God Almighty?
It is exasperating to witness Governmental concerns over trivial non-issues of censorship of movies on Television, rather than endeavouring to plug loopholes in the Constitution which allows for gangsters attaining positions of pwer, through legitimately fighting elections. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely averred Lord Acton almost a century ago. What is the fate of a nation where those already heady with Power, gained nefariously, are further posited to enhance it, this time legally, in an effort to undermine justice, manipulate offices to perpetuate a reign of terror, misunderstood as extinct after French Revolution?
It is appalling that we live in times such as these where we are but mute spectators to the audacities of criminals and criminal intent. There should be a hue and cry by the media and all right minded citizens in opposing an occurrence of further ‘criminlisation of politics’. We ought to speak up, voice our disgust, express our anger. Democracy and democratic principles have to be upheld and refurbished,tested and utilised. Alternatively, why impotently complain, unendingly crib, meaninglesssly rant as to where we are headed as a nation?
“Democracy forever teases us with the contrast between its ideals and its realities, between its heroic possibilities and its sorry achievements.”
Sachiniti 
its greatly annoying..but where will he get his votes from? Will people actually vote for him? I mean are there that many willing to risk the next five years of their constituency to this guy? Are we that gone?
Comment by sanjay — August 27, 2006 @ 3:39 pm |
getting votes will not be difficult at all… his hometown will back him and I suspect that is the reason that the political party is going all out to sponsor him.Illiteracy is the problem in India..for them all that matters is getting a few signs of progress for their villages.
Comment by neha — August 27, 2006 @ 6:57 pm |
This news has angered me so much….i wish the Indian govt. would stop putting their energies into censorship and the other silly issues they fight over and do something to see that guys like this do not get the right to fight in an election… this is the pits.. absolutely..but if Indians vote for him then how is he the only one at fault.. the masses are to blame also..illiteracy leads to all of this..
Comment by puja — August 28, 2006 @ 12:17 pm |
@ Sanjay
At the level of rural voting, dynamics at work there are unique. Their compulsions do not go beyond need of a well, roads and a hospital. Whoever can manage that is God.One cannot ignore the awe these underworld guys inspire for their rural youth. Mislead to believing the glamour of their lives..thanks to bollywood.This angle may be what inspires political parties to back hoodlums.
@ Neha
You are on the dot. This is also a sad reflection on the lack of facilities which have not even made baby steps in those towns.Dichptomies of Indian life will alays be boggling.
@Puja,
I am glad you are angry.. all of us have to be angry and express it.. this occurrence has to be resisted at all costs.. precedents of the kind cannot be allowed to be set for the future.. the past is another matter altogether.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — August 28, 2006 @ 1:11 pm |
It is amazing the guy awaiting trial will even gain a political party’s sponsorship to contest an election.
If he is running independent I am amazed he has an infrastructure in place still to pursue this. Wondering who will stand against him if he still wields some influence in the underbelly of India.
The police did a fabulous job in fishing him out of the European ratholes but the politicians in the country do not seem to be going far enough.
Comment by Sid — August 29, 2006 @ 2:27 am |
Hi Sid,
According to reports quoted here http://epapers2.mid-day.com/midday/scripts/epaper/transferpage.aspx?queryed=12
Mubarakpur in Azamgarh promises to garner 80% votes in his favour..His opponent may be Bahujan samajwadi Party leader Ram Yaddav.
The deadly combination of muscle power with money power coupled with rampant corruption succeeds in conjuring up situations where lines dividing right from wrong get blurred, resulting in criminals harboring political ambitions without a qualm and masses reacting putty like in their hands.
Being in the precincts of the jail is never a deterrent for criminals in carrying out their activities. Their tentacles are widespread and jail authorities often on their payroll.
It would surprise none if some political leader or the other is shielding him in lieu of future favours or past obligations. Its almost impossible to identify an honest face in this circus.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — August 29, 2006 @ 10:38 am |
damm this is sooo bad Resp.Prathiba Nathani can u file an PIL for this… is this not a threat to the future of our childrens….?? this is really scary i remember A report on Aaj tak which predicted this before abu salem n next will be who dawood… damm
Comment by crazycool — September 5, 2006 @ 10:01 pm |
crazycool..yes, you are right. Ms Naithani ought to have involved herself in a PIL which had more serious ramifications if she indeed wanted to prove a point.This is a pressing issue. If she had the time at her disposal, better utilisation would have saved her the flak she is receiving from all quarters.
Comment by kaveetaakaul — September 6, 2006 @ 9:24 am |
illiterates and goondas..one worse than the other….
Vaat laga diya saala country ka
Comment by anonymous — September 16, 2006 @ 2:16 pm |
fuck this bastard. just shoot him. he has killed so many people. now way we will allow him to be a politician. we anyway have a lot of problems with our poloticians. now we will have mass killers like him contesting its the biggest joke of 2006.
Comment by Anonymous — October 24, 2006 @ 6:51 pm |
fuck this bastard. just shoot him. he has killed so many people. now way we will allow him to be a politician. we anyway have a lot of problems with our poloticians. now we will have mass killers like him contesting its the biggest joke of 2006.
Comment by Rahul — October 24, 2006 @ 6:52 pm |
http://hawkeyeindia.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/abu-salem-seeks-to-become-our-neta/
Comment by kishore — October 27, 2006 @ 11:50 pm |
this is as bad as it can get , evene in indian politics..
but od u think he;ll actually be able to go all the way ….. to legislative assembly…..
Comment by kishore — October 27, 2006 @ 11:51 pm |
Dear Readers,
As it is said a dog as his days, and once God Ram has said that the crow will eat moti, it is this kaliyug that mulayam and mayawati bastard are eating moti.
What about amar singh, that has become a human breed dog always rome around with amitabh bachan instead of doing some good social work
Comment by rajeshbhanjan — November 23, 2006 @ 11:24 am |
Arthur Road Jail seems like a horrible place. Wonder how Sanjay Dutt spent his time there.
Comment by mumbaiKar — January 31, 2007 @ 6:02 am |