What's wrong in voting for Sanjay Dutt?

Many of my young friends are big fans of Sanjay Dutt, especially those who are too young to know about Sanjay Dutt's checkered history. Therefore, recently, when I read in the Times of India, an article by Ram Jethmalani who represented Sanjay Dutt in the court case against him more than a decade back, I thought it is worthy enough to share with all my friends. This also serves as a grim reminder of what our country has been through due to Sanjay Dutt and other people like him.

Ram Jethmalani is a dear friend of the late Sunil Dutt, father of Sanjay Dutt. Therefore, it must have really taken a lot of mental courage to write such an article. I believe that those of us who truly understand his words and predicament will come to the right conclusion that we cannot accept Sanjay Dutt in our political arena.

Just because a lot of time has passed since the crimes committed by Sanjay Dutt (proven in the court of law) does not mean that he is eligible to run for elections. I call upon every responsible citizen of the country to first of all denounce his nomination to the party, but also vehemently oppose voting for him even if he stands for elections. In a country filled with corruption, he may still get to stand for elections, but it is our security and future at risk if we vote for him. They are not something that can be put at risk. This is what is wrong if we vote for Sanjay Dutt. If we had been more prudent over the years, Mumbai would not have seen this many bomb blasts and terror attacks. At least now, let's make the right choice.

Related links:
Sanjay Dutt does not deserve to be an MP: Jethmalani

9 Jan 2009, 2124 hrs IST, TNN

Why we should not vote for Sanjay
1 Feb 2009, 0058 hrs IST, Ram Jethmalani