Don't Miss: What Aamir Khan presented in the last episode of 'Satyamev Jayate Season 2'!

The makers of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ could not have got a better day to end the current season to talk about the most important and trending topic currently – elections! As the nation moves closer to vote for its government, the show lapped up the chance to awaken the voters on many aspects of voting.

In the last but the most important episode of the show, host Aamir Khan, invited one of the founder members of Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), Prof. Jagdeep S. Chokkar, to present their findings on the candidates who get the ticket to fight elections despite their criminal background.

Mr. Chokkar said that 30% people in Indian Parliament have criminal cases slapped on them and the number of such candidates getting placed in the Lok Sabha are increasing every year.

Apparently, there is no political party that does not give tickets to criminals as right from BJP, Congress, BSP give tickets to a large number of criminals (see pic attached for data). And shockingly, there are parties that give tickets to 100% of their criminal candidates! Aother important fact is that, all these candidates have been charged for commiting either one or more crimes like murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, dacoity and charges have been framed against them by the court. It is the same state in State Assemblies as well where out of 4,032 MLAs, 1,264 have criminal cases pending against them (31%).

Dr. D.N. Gautam, IPS, Bihar, was asked what happens to the state of policing when a criminal comes to power. To this, he replied that everything goes for a toss and morality goes for a deep sleep. He added that a utopian society has become a myth in these times.

The show focused on some good Samaritans who envisioned and brought about a good change for the people of the nation. One of them was Mr. Ajit Sarkar, a political figure working in Purnia district of Bihar. He was mercilessly murdered by a goon cum aspiring politician named Pappu Yadav by shooting him with 107 bullets. M. Sarkar’s only ‘fault’ was that he was much loved by the people of his place for the humanitarian work he had been doing for them.

On the other hand, there were the hapless parents of a girl named Bitiya who was killed by her own vile grandfather when she opposed his incestuous moves. The parents of the girl were left heart broken by the shocking murder of their daughter but they swore to save other girls from facing similar destiny by making sure their daughter’s perpetrator (a powerful politician) gets punished. They even urged the general public to lend their support in such sensitive matters even if they are not willing or able to do anything.

Dr. Milind Vashinav, who has studied 2003-09 State Assembly elections data, spoke about his research done in the field. He said that between 2003-09, of the 35 elections happened in 28 states including the Lok Sabha elections happened in 2004 and 2009, there were 60, 000 candidates who got tickets to fight the polls.

His findings show that if the candidate has a clean reputation, his chances of winning the seat are 7% only. If there is serious allegation leveled against the candidates, then his chances of winning are 19%. And if, the candidate has done a greater crime, his chances of winning are 25%.

This clearly implied that the more heinous the crime of the candidate, the more votes he could grab.

But this brings us to the question - why do these candidates get elected?

To throw light on this topic, Utkarsh Sinha, an experienced journalist, said that people of the constituency know very well about their candidate. They are not ignorant about who they are voting for. Yet they give vote on the basis of caste and creed. Their mindset is “Chor to sab hain. To apni caste ka jo candidate hai usi ko vote kyon na dein?” (When every candidate has a tainted reputation then why should not vote for the one who belongs to our own caste?)

Mr. Sinha said that the trend of criminals taking part in elections started in the late 1970s.

The criminals used to do ‘booth capturing’ or supporting the neta by helping him promote himself and other related things. But then the lure of power was too irresistible for them and they too decided to contest the elections. These candidates had the black money and knew the game play to get votes. These goons also believe in playing on the fear psyche of the voters by intentionally staying in news for their misdeeds.

Dr. S.Y Quraishi, Fromer Chief Election Commissioner, spoke about the strategy they employed for catching the candidates who bribe voters by way of money or alcohol. He said the candidates aiming to bribe secretly ferry money in cars and even ambulances to avoid getting caught! In this situation, the EC people don’t stop the ambulance for checking but they follow he car till the hospital make sure that no black money reaches the voters. No just ambulances, but candidates use Funeral van, Milk and water tankers and what not to bribe people.

Mr. Quraishi recounted an incident when he was out with some of his people. They came across a lavish wedding where 4,000 approx. people were partying merrily. This event made them suspicious, and when they investigated, it was found that it was not a wedding but a bribe party to win votes from the voters. He even said that ceremonies like mundan, weddings, birthday celebration are a common sight before elections. But in reality they are bribe parties in disguise.

However, first generation voters or the youth can take charge in their hands and thus bring about a good change as M. G. Devasahayam, IAS and Convener of Forum for Electoral Integrity.

The show also introduced some voters, both from the low income groups as well as middle income groups, who shamelessly sell their votes for quick buck and material luxuries.

The moral of the episode was that it is up to us, the people of India, to make mindful choice when it comes to choosing our government. Because it is the same government that will either eat up our own money or make use of it for our betterment.

So, who are you voting for in the coming elections?

Satyamev Jayate!