Markandey Katju, says 90% of people vote on caste lines, they help criminals get elected

He said that though this idea succeeded with industry coming up and the country progressing but midaway the feudal elements took over with the result that people voted on caste lines.

Deputy speaker of Lok Sabha Kariya Munda, who was also present, expressed unhappiness that a high percentage of the population including the educated people did not go out to vote.

"Many people think that what is the use of going to vote. If everyone thought like that, there would be no voting," he said.

He claimed that before 1990s people voted on the basis of party while later casteism and regionalism crept in.

"We see in parliament and have seen in assemblies that people start rolling up their sleeves and it seems they have entered a wrestling ring. This is not a good sign for democracy. Here a conclusion is arrived through discussion not through muscle power," Munda said.

"You may have seen that the minister is reading something and it is snatched and torn. Recently it happened in Parliament that the minister was reading a Bill when it was snatched.

"It is seen worldover since it is telecast on TV and the impression among people is that after over 60 years of Independence, snatching happens not just in villages but also in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas," Munda said.

He said that one of the reasons for this situation could be that the youth is not alert.

Munda said that it is important that everyone votes for the sake of the country and on the basis of merit of the candidates.

ALSO READ

India raises with Li Chinese activities in PoK: Salman Khurshid

ICSE, CBSE chiefs say no one consulted them

BJP talks polls, silent on PM candidate

Afghan President Hamid Karzai holds talks with PM Manmohan Singh