Violence at the Polls

As the seven-day polling period began last week for India's fourth general election in its 20 years of independence, the average Indian made his foray to the polls either a festival or a fistfight. In countless villages, voting day became the occasion for fairs and native dances. But, as Indians in record numbers cast their ballots, there was also an ugly upsurge in violence, which had earlier marred the campaigning. From Kerala to Kashmir, hundreds were injured in scores of clashes between supporters of different parties. At least twelve died, including an 18-year-old girl who burned herself to death in political protest in the southern state of Madras.

India's upper class regarded the turmoil with studied detachment. Unfortunately, the fashionable thing to do in India is not to vote. President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, 78, does not plan to vote, feeling that his position as chief of state requires him to stay above politics--but he failed to exercise his franchise even when he held less exalted jobs. Similarly, many of India's civil servants, editors, intellectuals, and other members of the elite consider it a mark of high status not to cast ballots. The usual explanation is that they cannot find any candidate worthy of their support.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.