NEWS SCAN

Is seeking vote in the name of religion a “corrupt” practice? Or will an appeal by a priest or a cleric to voters of his own community to support a candidate come under the ambit of corrupt practice under the election law?

These are the questions raised by the Supreme Court which began hearings to revisit its 1995 judgment on Hindutva. The apex court was looking at the misuse of religion by religious leaders during campaigning. Religious leaders who have campaigned in the past include the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid and spiritual guru Baba Ramdev.

The court raised a slew of queries  before interpreting the provision (Section 123) of the Representation of People Act (RPA) pertaining to “corrupt practice.””Can a person belonging to one community seek votes from members of his community for a candidate belonging to another community? Like a Hindu candidate may use a Muslim religious leader to solicit votes of his community for Hindu candidates by hinting that they would invite “divine displeasure” if they do not vote for a particular candidate,” the bench headed by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, posed queries without mentioning any names.

As carried in DNA on 19.10.16