Terror accused cannot become MP in the West, but they can in India

In the J&K Assembly elections, anti-India candidates can win and enter the Assembly, thus increasing security risks.

- ALOK MEHTA

After the elections in British Parliament, presidential elections are set to take place in the United States in November. In these countries, can individuals accused of serious involvement in terrorist activities become Members of Parliament? Could someone demand to separate Los Angeles from the US, or conduct anti-American activities funded by China, and still become a Member of Parliament? The sharp answer to both questions would be “no”. But this is an extremely liberal and democratic India, where accused criminals involved in terrorist and divisive activities in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, and those receiving foreign funding for anti-India activities, can not only contest elections but also manage to take the oath of Lok Sabha membership after deceiving the people and taking advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses. On 5 July, Amritpal Singh, imprisoned in Assam, and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, imprisoned in Tihar, took oath as Members of Parliament. Just imagine if such criminals win more elections in states like Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and form legislative assemblies and state governments. They could pass anti-India proposals and ignite the fire of separatism.