Political rivalries, resulting in gruesome murders, are a blot on modern societies. Right now, democracy itself is facing attacks overt and covert. At the national level, some dominant majoritarian ideology is spreading its wings. At the same time, the spectre of various shades of extremism haunts us. Patriotic credentials of critics are the first casualty. Now, if political murders are committed or even alleged to be committed by those who are part of struggle for more freedom and against authoritarian tendencies, at the all-India level, it ill-serves their cause of campaign against majoritarianism.
Parties and movements in the forefront of agitation for democratic rights and Constitutional values (be it the Left or the regional parties) cannot afford to be seen as perpetrating any form of political or state violence against opponents. Fight on ideas, not with muscles. Days of aristocratic duels are by-gone. Murders, committed by any party or movement, have to stop forthwith. It will be disastrous for democracy. Over and above, it will rob the credibility of campaigns at the national level. The other side would point, "There is blood on your hands". The sooner this is realised, the better. Better late than never!
(Author is ex-Income-Tax Commissioner)
