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DISCOURSE 89
appearance in social institutions. Some candidates contest elections with this idea, "If I secure more votes and if I get elected, I will become a leader and my prestige in society will increase". It seems inevitable according to them to defeat and disgrace others and to commend themselves. On account of this tendency, mutual love has given place to mutual hostilities. Factionalism arises its ugly head; violent quarrels take place and murders also take place sometimes.
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After the promulgation of the Trust Act, elections are taking place even in religious organisations. Elections take place in all organisations whether they are societies or boards. We, of course, keep wandering from village to village and from town to town. We find that in many societies and organisations, quarrels take place among members. When we look for the causes for this situation, we find that one cause is our system of elections.
From the Audience: If has become essential, that elections should be held, according to the government.
Maharajashri: That is not so. The Government allows either election or selection. There are two ways. There are some institutions where elections are not held. There the office-bearers are selected. Selection implies liking a person and choosing him. In some societies and institutions, trustees are selected and named because the members like them. There is no need for them to contest for the trusteeship. In those institutions some members are selected and once they are selected, they can be trustees for one to five years. In fact, there are also some who remain trustees throughout their lives. In these cases, elections do not seem to be proper. In elections, candidates can get voted by the power of money. In the same manner some people may get elected by groupism and goondaism. In such cases ability and virtues are not given importance.
WHO ARE SEATED THERE?
Some who get elected to the Lok Sabha may not have a thorough knowledge of the Indian constitution. How many have
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