Press Releases Archive

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today welcomed the Allahabad High Court initiative in staying caste-based political rallies.

In a media statement, Dr. JP hoped that the High Court notice to all major political parties in UP on the stay will eventually lead to a broad consensus among political parties on putting an end to mobilization of caste and sectional groups for political purposes.

Dr. JP pointed out that the primary duty of political parties is to promote harmony in society by reconciling interests of all groups. But there has been an increasing tendency among most parties to appeal to identity politics, especially caste or religious or regional groups. It is undoubtedly detrimental to harmony in society and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Trying to promote caste identity and divide people to garner voters is absurd in the 21st century, said Dr. JP.

Dr. JP said that Article 19 of the Constitution gives clear powers to the legislature and the Government to regulate peaceful assembly and demonstrations in the interests of the integrity of the nation and public order. Article 51 (A) outlines citizens’ duties which include respecting the Constitution, cherishing and following the noble ideals of the freedom struggle, and promoting harmony and spirit of common brotherhood among all communities and groups.

Therefore, any effort to regulate or prevent demonstrations by caste-based groups is perfectly legitimate and constitutional.

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict holding Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) ultra vires. The provision protects convicted lawmakers against disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal against their conviction in higher courts.

In a media statement, Dr. JP said the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment has struck a blow for equality before law by treating ordinary citizens and legislators alike. “This is a small but significant victory for the Lok Satta which has focused its attention on criminals in politics since 1999.”

“Although the Supreme Court has given a decent burial to the patently unconstitutional and self-serving provision of the law, we cannot expect dramatic results until a lot more is done.”

Dr. JP said that the real challenge is two-fold. Politicians with a record of crime continue to function as legislators since conviction by lower courts takes an interminably long time. For instance, the assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi were not convicted even after a decade of the assassination. Technically, the assassins could have contested elections and continued as legislators. Dispensation of justice by trial courts has to be speeded up if such anomalies were not to recur. Alternatively, people against whom charges have been filed in a court of law in respect of serious crimes should be disqualified from contesting elections until the cases are disposed of.

Again, many politicians with criminal antecedents influence crime investigation and ensure there is no evidence of their crimes. It is because crime investigation continues to be under near control of politicians. Criminalization of politics cannot be ended until crime investigation and prosecution agencies are made totally autonomous and shielded from political influence, said Dr. JP.