The Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply criticized the practice of political parties offering freebies ahead of elections, raising concerns about the potential societal impact of such promises. During a hearing, Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih questioned whether these incentives were encouraging a lack of productivity and leading to the creation of a “class of parasites.”
The discussion emerged during a session focused on a petition related to the right to shelter for homeless persons in urban areas. Justice Gavai pointed out the negative consequences of freebies, noting, “Rather than promoting them to be part of the mainstream of society by contributing to the nation’s development, are we not creating a class of parasites?” He also highlighted a personal observation from his agricultural background in Maharashtra, where recent election-related freebies have made it difficult for farmers to find laborers.
The conversation took a turn when advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing one of the petitioners, argued that unemployment, not unwillingness, was the key issue facing the workforce. However, the bench challenged this view, suggesting that the allure of freebies might be discouraging active participation in the workforce.
Despite these concerns, the justices acknowledged the importance of addressing homelessness, agreeing that providing shelter to the homeless deserves attention but must be balanced with other social welfare considerations.
During the proceedings, Attorney General R. Venkataramani updated the court on the Centre’s ongoing efforts to finalize an urban poverty alleviation mission, which aims to tackle various issues, including homelessness. The court requested a definitive timeline for this initiative’s rollout, emphasizing the need for timely action.
This hearing highlights the Supreme Court’s critical stance on election freebies and its call for policies that foster self-reliance and productivity among citizens, rather than dependence on governmental provisions.
