Release the Tapes, Mr Sardesai
Democracy is more important than parliamentary privileges
It appears that CNN-IBN is in possession of tapes which document the alleged bribes offered to three BJP MPs. CNN-IBN has refused to release the tapes citing parliamentary privileges. It has, instead, offered the tapes to the speaker of the Lok Sabha for ‘’suitable action. ”
Mr Sardesai’s logic deserves to be dismissed with contempt. His concern for the Indian parliament–even if genuine–is misplaced. Auctioning votes in parliament is an unpardonable crime in a democracy. If the charges are true, then it is an assault on the very spirit of Indian democracy. Mr Sardesai’s trust in the sagacity of India’s MPs is touching but perhaps he should be more concerned about the real owners of Indian democracy: The people.
CNN-IBN must release the unedited version of the tapes and any other evidence it is privy to. It is the least Mr Sardesai can do for the democracy which nurtures and protects him–and billion other Indians.
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