Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian political theorist known for his treatise The Prince, had controversially stated that morals have no role in politics. He advised political leaders to avoid ethics, morals, justice, mercy and love for the subjects, advocating cruelty, deception and amorality instead. In the 21st century India, Machiavelli would have found his political recommendations coming to life, but in a way which wouldn’t have made him proud. Because, far from being a “teacher of evil”, as he was called, Machiavelli was just a realist, who preferred to see things as they are in politics. His recommendations for a lack of conscience in politics would help politicians make cold, hard decisions for the greater good, without his scruples getting the best of him. In India, however, a lack of conscience in politics helps politicians line their pockets and further their own selfish agenda, something Machiavelli wouldn't agree with.

In India, some break bad after coming into politics and in some cases a criminal background has also served as a launchpad for a successful career in politics for many politicians in the country, like Phoolan Devi and Arun Gawli. Their felonies range from small misdemeanours to more serious ones such as organised crimes, extortions and murders.

As sexual violence against women and children are increasing at a frenzied rate, we turn towards the politicos to take a more hardened stance against rapists and paedophiles, even welcoming the latest ordinance in the POCSO act, awarding death penalty to child rapists. But unbeknownst to us, the very representatives that we help come into power have cases of rape and sexual violence against them. BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar who is at the centre of the Unnao Rape Case is just one among the many politicos ruling our country who have cases related to crimes against women.

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch analysed 4845 of the 4896 of the election affidavits of current MPs and MLAs. This includes 768 out of 776 affidavits of MPs and 4077 of 4120 MLAs from across states in India. The findings are anything but heartening.

Thirty-Three Percent of MLAs are Criminals Out of 1580 MPs and MLAs in the country, 33 percent have declared criminal cases. Forty-Eight of those MLAs and MPs have cases related to crimes against women.

Recognised political parties have given tickets to 327 candidates who had declared cases of crimes against women. These include major political parties who have a pan-India presence. Even independent candidates – a total of 118 – who have declared cases of crimes against women, contested for elections in the last five years. Among them, 40 were given ticket by parties for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections.

Maharashtra leads with the most number of MLAs and MPs with charges of crimes against women. (Source: ADR)
Maharashtra tops with the highest number of declared cases of crimes against women (Source: ADR)

Maharashtra leads the list of candidates with declared cases of crimes against women. The state tops the chart with 65 candidates, followed by Bihar at 62 and West Bengal with 52 candidates. They were given the ticket, despite having criminal cases against women in their affidavits.

BJP leads with 12 candidates who have committed crimes against women. (Source: ADR)

Although almost all political parties have fielded felons who have committed crimes against women, BJP leads with 12 MPs and MLAs. Shiv Sena comes second with seven candidates. Trinamool Congress has six MPs and MLAs, with declared cases of crimes against women. According to the ADR report, BJP has given the ticket to 47 such candidates in the last five years, Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP has given tickets to 35 and the Indian National Congress to 24.

Recognised political parties have given tickets to 26 candidates who have declared cases, related to rape. Fourteen independent candidates with declared cases of rape have contested in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections.

48 MLAs and MPs have declared cases of crimes. (Source: ADR)

In total, 48 MLAs and MPs in India have declared cases of crimes against women. These crimes include charges related to assault or criminal force to women to outrage her modesty (IPC Section- 354); kidnapping, abducting or inducting women to compel her marriage, etc. (IPC Section- 366); rape (IPC Section- 376); husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty (IPC Section- 498A); buying minor for purpose of prostitution (IPC Section- 373); and word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman (IPC Section-509).

These revelations show that we are trusting the wrong people. Whether it is Delhi, Rohtak, Kathua, Unnao or Surat, political parties wax eloquently about women’s safety and shed crocodile tears to bait the sitting government. But these theatrics ring hollow since each of the major political parties in the country is guilty of harbouring criminals. The ruling government’s resort to ill-researched gimmicky measures, like the ordinance in the POCSO act, despite Delhi HC’s scepticism, are last-ditch efforts to douse public anger ahead of the 2019 election. The fact remains that political parties are hand-in-glove with these felons and have willingly compromised the safety of women, by giving tickets to such candidates.

According to ADR recommendation, political parties need to redeem themselves in the public eye, by making an example of these felons. Debarring them from contesting elections would be a good step. Parties should disclose to the public the criteria on which a candidate has been given the ticket. Cases against the errant MLAs and MPs should be fast-tracked. This is probably the only way to salvage themselves in the public eye.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 12:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).