Criminalisation of politics protested

VOLUNTEERS OF Sabka Vyavhar Manch, a social organisation, have been sitting on a dharna for the last five days in a bid to generate awareness against the involvement of criminals in active politics.

VOLUNTEERS OF Sabka Vyavhar Manch, a social organisation, have been sitting on a dharna for the last five days in a bid to generate awareness against the involvement of criminals in active politics.

The dharna, being staged at Ravidas gate in Lanka area, would conclude on January 26. 

Volunteers, under the leadership of Shailendra Singh alias ‘Baba’, came forward soon after the 15-day dharna of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajnath Singh demanding a CBI probe into the murder case of party MLA Krishnanand Rai was called off on December 14.

It may be mentioned that Rajnath Singh had also raised his voice against criminalisation of politics. Volunteers of Sabka Vyavhar Manch sat on an 11-day dharna at Brij Enclave locality from December 14 in this connection.

Shailendra Singh said Rajnath had initiated an incomplete movement against criminalisation of politics, but volunteers of the Manch had launched a final battle in this regard.

He said the Manch would also stage 11-day dharnas at prominent places like Godoulia, Lahurabeer, Kachehri etc, to make common people aware of this problem.

He further said after staging the dharnas, they would organise seminars, discourses, exhibitions and debate competitions in schools and colleges to spread awareness among students.

Shailendra said the time had come when people should weed out criminals from politics and society. He called upon a cross-section of society to boycott the candidates of criminal background during elections.

He further said major political parties should not give tickets to criminals.

The Election Commission of India should also set up a norm to ensure that criminals were barred from contesting elections, he added.