A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) has revealed that approximately 40% of current Members of Parliament (MPs) in India have criminal cases pending against them. This is a staggering statistic and raises serious questions about the state of Indian bourgeois democracy.
The report found that out of 763 MPs (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), 306 have declared criminal cases against them. Among these, 194 face serious charges such as murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women.
This alarming discovery highlights important concerns about the nature of Indian bourgeois democracy and the role of the ruling class within it. The criminalization of politics is a global phenomenon that affects developed countries as well.
In developed nations, politicians are involved in various forms of corruption, from bribery and embezzlement to misuse of public funds, at all levels of government. For example, in the United States, the Enron scandal involved close ties between politicians and corporate executives.
In many developed countries, the influence of special interest groups, including corporate lobbyists, can result in policies and decisions that favour the wealthy elite at the expense of the broader population. This influence can be seen as a form of legalised corruption.
Several reports and studies have examined the issue of political criminalization in developed countries. These reports are typically published by non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, or government agencies responsible for monitoring corruption and ethics in politics.
Transparency International, the Center for Public Integrity (USA), and Australia’s Integrity Commission provide valuable insights into the severity of political criminalization in developed countries. These reports often read like never-ending sagas of political maneuvering, where politicians compete to outdo each other in the art of political crime.
Some developed countries have established anti-corruption agencies, whistleblower protections, and campaign finance reforms to address political criminalization. However, these countries are not immune to this crisis.
Marxist and socialist societies fundamentally view democracy as shaped by class interests. In India, where capitalism has taken deep roots, Parliament is often seen as a platform where the capitalist class and its representatives wield significant influence.
The criminalization of politics in India is a glaring symptom of inequalities unique to Indian society. It represents the power of the capitalist class to use the political system for furthering its interests, at the cost of the working class and the poor.
Facing criminal charges, including serious allegations like murder and kidnapping, a significant number of MPs signals a deep-seated problem within India’s political establishment. This criminalization is deeply entrenched in the nexus between political power and economic interests.
It is a matter of concern that no political party in India is actively addressing this issue. This erodes public trust in Indian democracy. When voters believe that their elected representatives are criminals, their participation in the political process diminishes. This, in turn, undermines democracy in India.
We argue that the entire state apparatus in capitalist society is inherently corrupt because it serves the interests of the capitalist class. The capitalist state protects the wealth and privileges of the bourgeoisie at the expense of the working class and ordinary citizens.
Furthermore, capitalism itself gives birth to political corruption. The quest for profit and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few inevitably lead to corruption in both political and economic spheres.
It is clear that today, in India and elsewhere, some capitalists and bourgeois politicians are not shying away from using criminal means to protect their interests. In this context, organised crime becomes an integral part of the political landscape.
To counter this, the working class must lead the struggle against bourgeois rule. We believe that the establishment of a disciplined party (similar to the Bolsheviks) to lead the working class is necessary. This party will work as a revolutionary force to overthrow the bourgeois state and ultimately work towards a socialist society where corporate private property and related corruption will be eradicated.
In summary, we view political criminalization as a manifestation of widespread corruption within the capitalist system. The revolutionary perspective aims to change the capitalist state and, ultimately, work towards a socialist society where corporate private property and associated corruption are eliminated.
(Published in inaugural issue of Lokpaksh English version in Nov, 2023. file:///C:/Users/kk160/Desktop/LPE1Nov2023.pdf )