Claiming that Indians vote in droves like sheep and cattle, PCI chief Justice Markandey Katju has said he would not vote as it was "meaningless" in a situation where democracy has been hijacked by feudal lords.
"Ninety per cent Indians vote in droves like sheep and cattle. They are like a herd of cattle voting along caste and religious lines. This is the bitter truth. And because Indians vote like livestock, there are so many criminals in Parliament," Katju told news channel Headlines Today.
"I won't vote because my vote is meaningless. Our democracy is still in transition and has been hijacked by feudal lords. Votes are cast in the name of Jats, Muslims, Yadavs or Harijans. Democracy is not meant to be run like this. My one vote will not make any difference. Why should I waste my time in joining the cattle queue?" he said.
The former Supreme Court judge said even the social elites like lawyers and professors vote along caste lines and added that he had seen this happening at the Allahabad Bar and at the university.
Katju also said he was secular and against communal forces, and it was upto the people to draw their conclusions.
"I am a complete secular person and by being secular if I am branded a Congressman, you are entitled to your view. I am against communal forces. This is a country of diversity and if we don't take all our people together, we cannot survive for one day," he said.
