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India's Special Parliamentary Session Allowing Criminals To Vote

July 22, 2008 8:17 AM

By Karen Russo, ABC News Digital Reporter, Mumbai

While little shocks Indians about the ever-changing politics of the world’s largest democracy, the release of convicted criminals to vote in India’s special two-day parliamentary session has raised some eyebrows. “Nothing surprises anyone about Indian democracy,” said Brahma Chellaney, professor of Strategic Studies in New Delhi’s Center for Policy Research. But, he added, “this has surprised many, many Indians.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was seeking a vote of confidence over a controversy stemming from a possible US-India nuclear deal. Over the past few weeks, left-wing parties withdrew their support from Singh's Congress party-led coalition. The parties opposing the nuclear agreement diverge on their complaints - some stating they want no relations with the US, while others fear the deal will compromise India's ability to test nuclear weapons in the future.

Mr. Singh has been forced to seek the vote of support and, as a result, MPs who are convicted criminals have received an Indian version of furlough to attend the debates and vote. Although these MPs are convicted, they have not completed their appeals process- partly because India’s courts are so overburdened-and are therefore allowed the special release. At the end of yesterday’s session, the MPs were returned to jail in New Delhi. After the vote is completed, they will return to jail in their respective states.

July 22, 2008 in Karen Russo | Permalink | User Comments (0)

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