EC has banned BJP leader Amit Shah and SP leader Azam Khan from holding public meetings, processions and road shows in Uttar Pradesh for their unbecoming public speeches during election campaign that could lead to disruption of public tranquility and law and order. The EC has directed the Chief Secretary of UP to get FIRs lodged against them and initiate criminal proceedings against them.
We have gone down the long road on our journey to secular democracy. By now we should have made much progress in eliminating communalism from our social relationship but we have failed. Unfortunately, the leadership that is expected to guide the masses of people along communal fraternity and tolerance is playing a dubious role and pandering to one or the other community. The EC has done the right thing by using its powers and demanding legal action against the defaulters. Unfortunately as we see communal card is being played overtly as well as covertly by even top leadership when they approach the religious leaders for appealing to their respective communities under the cover of unity among community against divided vote. The EC’s task is not over as yet and we expect it to be an alert watchman over the speeches of various leaders that are loaded with subtle communal undertones.
It is for the citizens of India, the voters, to decide who would be the right candidate who can deliver goods for them. The real power is in the ballot paper, provided it is used judiciously. People are the best judge of who is a communally oriented candidate and who is not. The decision of making or unmaking a candidate is in their hands and they should have the strength of personality to decide keeping larger interests of the country in view.
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