The report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), analyzed the criminal records of ministers across 27 State Assemblies, 3 Union Territories and the Union Council.
Key Highlights
- Criminal Cases: Out of the 643 ministers, 47% ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves.
- Serious Criminal Cases: 27% ministers have declared serious criminal cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women, etc.
Causes of Criminalization of Politics
- Muscle Power & Criminal Nexus: Politicians use criminals to sway voters with fear and money, often rewarding them with party tickets for winnability (Dharam Vira Commission, 1977).
- Money Power: Excessive election spending and politician-bureaucrat nexus drive corruption and illegal funding.
- Identity Politics: Elections, especially panchayat, prioritize caste/religion over criminal records.
- Other: Weak laws, slow judicial process and socio-economic factors such as poverty, illiteracy, and underdevelopment foster voter manipulation.
Impact of Criminalization of Politics:
- Erosion of democratic values and rule of law: Due to criminal elements in the public life, Politics, crime, and violence become intertwined.
- Justice denied: Transparency and accountability are weakened.
- Risk of India turning into a “government of criminals, for the criminals” instead of democracy.
Measures taken:
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