India News | Indecent Remarks: Politicians, Media to Blame, Says Fmr CEC

Indore, Oct 25 (PTI) Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Sunday expressed concern over the choice of words of leaders during speeches these days, in particular in the bypoll campaign underway in Madhya Pradesh for 28 Assembly seats.

The bypolls, scheduled for November 3, are seeing a bitter tussle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress and the terms used include 'item", "lucha lafanga", "rakhail" etc.

Also Read | NSA Ajit Doval Says ‘India Not an Aggressor, But Will Fight on Foreign Soil if Threat Emerges’.

"There are enough provisions in the model code of conduct and the People's Representation Act to deal with such indecent language. However, I am of the view that the use of such language cannot be checked by punitive provisions," Rawat told PTI.

He said politicians are usually banned for a few days for the use of unparliamentary words but such moves do not last long.

Also Read | Minapur Vidhan Sabha Seat in Bihar Assembly Elections 2020: Candidates, MLA, Schedule And Result Date.

Rawat claimed politicians had lost the opportunity to gain knowledge in the age of social media and do not have the time to study about new things.

"High standards in language should be promoted so that politicians can enhance their knowledge on basic issues and policies. This will be more effective and meaningful in the national interest," Rawat said.

He said politicians use such language to get media coverage, which they receive in the form of news headlines, while real issues get sidestepped.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)