The Lok Sabha election is entering the second phase on Thursday as the first phase is complete. As the campaign scenario all over the country hots up in this context, the tongues of electioneering leaders are also getting sharper ten times.
In an attempt to put down opponents, leaders through their unrestrained speeches are breaching the Lakshman rekha of decency and model code of conduct. In this case, there is no difference between small or big leaders. They have been inducing the tone of hatred loudly, not only in election meetings but also in writings and interviews.
The election Commission banned four prominent leaders the other day in the name of hate speeches. UP chief minister Yogi Adithyanath, BSP leader Mayawati, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi party’s firebrand Azam Khan are the leaders who have been barred temporarily.
The irony is that the leaders who should have observed the model code of conduct and told others about the legal liabilities themselves have dared to flout the election rules. These are the fall-outs of leaders taking society for granted and maintaining a cold attitude towards laws. Any attempt to reap political mileage by triggering hatred and communalism is against the age-old decorum of democracy.

Yogi Adithyanath’s remark that - Muslim league is a virus that affected the Congress and it would wreak havoc if it is not controlled – had become controversial. The election commission should have taken action then itself but it acted only days after receiving the complaint on it.
Similarly, Maneka Gandhi casually commented that Muslims who are reluctant to vote for her need not go back to her, asking for some favours. The above examples show that the ministers who had taken oath of office to treat all citizens as one, without any bias, may not hesitate to divide people for a few votes.
The system of seeking votes on the basis of party manifesto and party’s stand is passé now. How many leaders will be ready to keep in mind the Election Commission’s guidelines when they are busy luring voters through hate speeches, fake campaigns and communal speeches?
It can be hoped that the action taken against the four leaders would bring in some creative changes in the style of campaign as five phases of polling are still left.
We can also hope that the refusal of the Supreme Court to stay the campaign ban imposed on these leaders will certainly give the desired result.