In a democracy built on the pillars of equality and justice, certain names continue to hover above consequence. The recent appointment of Vikas Barala as Assistant Advocate General in Haryana, despite being the prime accused in a still-pending 2017 stalking case, is not just a footnote in Indian political theatre—it is an indictment of a society where justice can be overshadowed by lineage and power. But to understand the gravity of this moment, one must also confront the silences—those unspoken but deeply influential forces that operate beneath headlines.
The Vikas Barala Appointment: When Power Trumps Principle
In 2017, Vikas Barala, the son of a senior BJP politician, was arrested for stalking and attempting to abduct Varnika Kundu, an IAS officer’s daughter, in Chandigarh. The case sparked national outrage at the time, symbolizing the danger of power-enabled harassment. Yet, nearly eight years later, the legal case drags on without resolution, and the accused is being rewarded with a government appointment in the legal system itself. This is not just a case of tone-deaf governance; it's a mockery of justice.
More disturbingly, the appointment comes despite a pool of over 100,000 registered advocates in Punjab and Haryana, many of them young, accomplished, and ethically upright, including a significant number of women lawyers. The message it sends is deafening: legal merit and moral integrity matter less than bloodlines and political patronage.
The Varnika Kundu Case: A Father's Compromise?
The 2017 stalking case involving Vikas Barala and Varnika Kundu triggered national outrage. Varnika’s account—of being chased through the streets of Chandigarh—shook many out of apathy. It was a textbook case of gendered entitlement and abuse of power. But eight years on, the case remains unresolved. And now, her alleged harasser has been rewarded with a government position.
But another layer of discomfort lies in the evolving career trajectory of Varnika's father, V.S. Kundu, a respected IAS officer. After facing delays in his promotion initially, Mr. Kundu was eventually appointed as Chairman of the Haryana Revenue Commission, by the very government whose political scion his daughter is legally battling. Even after the end of his tenure, he was granted an extension.
To be clear: there is no direct evidence of a quid pro quo. Yet, in politics and justice, perception often defines credibility. The optics suggest an uneasy alignment of interests—an implicit détente between power and those it is meant to be held accountable by. The state rewards the father while the accused son of a ruling party leader enjoys a prestigious legal post. Is this coincidence? Or is it emblematic of how India’s systems of governance—bureaucratic, judicial, political—often cushion their own?
This raises profoundly discomfiting questions:
Can families of victims truly challenge the powerful while navigating within a system that offers them incentives?
Do institutional promotions or post-retirement benefits dilute the ferocity of justice-seeking efforts?
Is the system designed to co-opt dissent, particularly when it threatens entrenched political hierarchies?
Even without overt pressure, the subtle machinery of accommodation—career advancement, delayed prosecutions, strategic silence—has the same net effect: it blunts resistance and keeps power unthreatened.
A Disturbing Pattern: From Emergency to Today
The Barala case is no aberration. Post-Independence India is littered with chilling cases where the sons of powerful politicians have committed serious crimes—many involving gendered violence—and faced little to no immediate consequence.
1. Sanjay Gandhi (1975–77 Emergency Era)
Sanjay Gandhi, son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was never convicted of a criminal offence. But his role in forced sterilizations, demolition drives, and censorship of dissenting media during the Emergency remains one of the darkest chapters in Indian democracy. His actions set a dangerous precedent: that proximity to power can shield even mass-scale abuse.
2. Manu Sharma (Jessica Lal Murder Case, 1999)
The son of Haryana Congress leader Venod Sharma shot Jessica Lal in a Delhi bar in full view of witnesses. He was initially acquitted due to "lack of evidence"—a euphemism for coerced or bought-off witnesses—until public outrage forced a retrial. He was later convicted, but the case revealed how far political influence can reach into the justice system.
3. Vikas Yadav (Nitish Katara Murder, 2002)
Another "honour killing" rooted in political ego. Vikas Yadav, son of former MP D.P. Yadav, murdered Nitish Katara for dating his sister. Despite clear evidence, the case took more than a decade for resolution, with multiple instances of attempted witness intimidation and delays that only a powerful political hand could orchestrate.
4. Sushil Sharma (Tandoor Murder Case, 1995)
A Youth Congress leader, Sharma murdered his wife Naina Sahni and tried to burn her body in a restaurant tandoor. Though eventually convicted, his attempts to use political influence for delay and distraction were obvious.
5. Ashish Mishra (Lakhimpur Kheri Case, 2021)
Son of a sitting Union Minister, Ashish Mishra was accused of running his vehicle over protesting farmers. His arrest was delayed despite damning video evidence. Bail conditions and trial speed continue to raise red flags about the fairness of proceedings when political power is at play.
6. Prajwal Revanna (Sex Tape Scandal, 2024)
MP and grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, Prajwal fled the country after multiple videos emerged showing him in sexually exploitative situations. The state machinery’s sluggish response and his initial evasion of arrest exposed a bipartisan pattern: silence when the accused is one of their own.
Root Causes: Where Does This Culture of Impunity Come From?
1. Entitlement Through Dynasty
The sons of politicians are often raised in insulated, privilege-laden environments. Many grow up believing that rules apply to others, not to them. Power is inherited, not earned. This dynastic culture breeds entitlement and moral bankruptcy.
2. Parental Complicity
Though not directly responsible for their children’s actions, many political leaders tacitly enable them—through silence, through resources, or through active interference. Yet, when they return to voters seeking mandates, there’s rarely any public reckoning or accountability.
3. Apathy of the Electorate
Despite awareness, the electorate often chooses to overlook these acts, either due to caste/religious loyalties, political polarisation, or sheer resignation. Why are parents not questioned during elections for their sons’ crimes? Why do parties continue to reward such families? The silence is damning.
4. Media Sensationalism but No Follow-Through
While media houses break stories with great fervour, they often fail to sustain pressure over time. Complex legal proceedings disappear from headlines, allowing the powerful to bide their time until public memory fades.
5. Legal System’s Vulnerabilities
Long trials, frequent adjournments, underpaid public prosecutors, and police under political control make it easier for the influential to manipulate the process—delaying justice long enough for it to lose its sting.
The Political Womb: Hereditary Power as Destiny
In India, the idea that politics is a public service is slowly being replaced—if not already eclipsed—by the reality that politics is family business. Today, over 40% of Indian MPs belong to political dynasties. The number rises when you narrow down to influential or ‘safe’ seats. This isn’t a partisan phenomenon. It is a pan-India, cross-party malaise—one that survives regime change, ideology, or even mass movements.
A Lingering Malaise: Is There Hope for Change?
The historical prevalence of such incidents, from the early days of independent India with figures like Sanjay Gandhi and beyond, indicates a systemic issue. The unchecked influence of political families, where the sons and relatives of MLAs, MPs, Ministers, and Chief Ministers often wield power as if they were elected representatives themselves, creates a fertile ground for such transgressions. This often translates into administration being dictated by these "power-proxies," further weakening the rule of law at the ground level.
Names like Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Sukhbir Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal), Umar Abdullah (National Conference), Sachin Pilot (Indian National Congress), and Deepender Hooda (Indian National Congress) often come up in discussions around dynastic politics who are important leaders of their respective states.
However, the picture isn't entirely bleak. India has also seen instances where the wards of politicians have carved out their own paths, demonstrating integrity and a commitment to public service, defying the negative stereotypes:
Rahul Gandhi (Son of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Indian National Congress): While facing political criticism, Rahul Gandhi has largely maintained a public image free from serious personal criminal allegations, focusing on electoral politics and ideological battles.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Daughter of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Indian National National Congress): Similar to her brother, Priyanka Gandhi has engaged in active politics, advocating for social justice and campaigning, without personal criminal controversies.
Chirag Paswan (Son of Ram Vilas Paswan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)): After an initial stint in acting, Chirag Paswan has taken on his father's political legacy, leading his party and engaging in mainstream politics.
Tejashwi Yadav (Son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, Rashtriya Janata Dal): Despite his father's legal troubles, Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as a prominent political figure in Bihar, leading his party and serving in governmental roles.
Akhilesh Yadav (Son of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party): Akhilesh Yadav successfully served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and continues to be a significant political force, largely building his image on development and a more modern approach to politics.
Aaditya Thackeray (Son of Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT)): Aaditya Thackeray has actively engaged in environmental and youth-focused initiatives, serving as a minister and representing a younger, progressive face of his party.
Dushyant Chautala (Son of Ajay Chautala and Grandson of Om Prakash Chautala, Jannayak Janta Party): Dushyant Chautala carved out his own political space, co-founding a new party and serving as Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana.
These examples offer a glimmer of hope that the trend of entitlement among some political offspring is not universal. The increasing scrutiny by media and an awakened citizenry, demanding greater accountability, might slowly but surely push for a more equitable application of the law, irrespective of family name. The ultimate challenge lies in strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that the rule of law prevails over personal connections and political influence, fostering a society where justice is not just a distant ideal but a tangible reality for all.
These individuals serve as counterpoints to the toxic entitlement of others like Vikas Barala or Ashish Mishra. But even this "good dynast" vs "bad dynast" binary distracts from a larger truth:
Why does Indian society so easily accept political inheritance, even while resenting nepotism in cinema, corporate jobs, or the civil services?
Why Society Embraces Political Dynasties
1. Feudal Memory, Democratic Form:
Indian democracy functions on paper, but culturally, large swathes of the electorate continue to view political leaders as feudal guardians—providers of protection and patronage. Political families, particularly in rural areas, are seen not as servants of the people, but as modern-day rajas. The vote, then, becomes not an act of empowerment but an allegiance to hierarchy.
2. Brand Recall and Political Capital:
Political legacies offer a ready-made network—of party workers, donors, loyal voters, and media familiarity. A surname becomes shorthand for decades of political work, allowing heirs to skip the line. Parties, driven by winnability, often prefer legacy candidates over newcomers, reinforcing the cycle.
3. Public Cynicism and Limited Choices:
When nearly every party runs dynasts, the average voter has little real choice. Also, people have grown cynical—"All politicians are corrupt, so might as well vote for the one who fixed the local road."
4. Caste and Identity Politics:
Dynasties often emerge from dominant caste groups in states and can position themselves as protectors of their community. Voters sometimes prefer the “familiar” over ideological or performance-based criteria.
5. Emotional Capital:
In cases like Rajiv Gandhi’s or Lalu Prasad Yadav’s successors, sympathy for deceased or persecuted leaders morphs into emotional loyalty for their children. Politics here is an inheritance wrapped in public sentiment.
The Price of Privilege: What It Costs the Nation
The real danger of hereditary politics is not just unearned power, but unaccountable power. When power is transferred by blood and not performance, it distorts the idea of democratic merit. And when these heirs commit crimes—especially those as grievous as stalking, murder, or sexual assault—the system is reluctant to hold them accountable.
Worse, the society that elects these families year after year becomes complicit. We may cheer a movie star’s fall from grace over nepotism, but we stay silent when a criminal case against a politician’s son is delayed for eight years. We may decry crime against women on social media, but continue to vote for parties that promote or protect such individuals.
The Gendered Impact: Violence Against Women and Society’s Rot
Nearly all high-profile cases involving politicians' sons—Barala, Sharma, Yadav, Revanna—involve violence or coercion against women. This pattern is not incidental; it's symptomatic of a toxic blend of patriarchy and political privilege.
"Boys will be boys" is not just a societal attitude but becomes state-sponsored when perpetrators are protected.
Victims often face character assassination, bureaucratic stonewalling, and social ostracism, making justice an uphill battle.
Lack of support mechanisms—legal aid, counseling, financial support—means many cases never even reach court.
This contributes to a climate where women, especially those outside elite power structures, feel unsafe and unheard—a direct contradiction to the promises of democratic equality.
Why Don’t We Talk About It? The Silence That Screams
There is little discussion in the public domain about the link between political power and criminal impunity. When was the last time you heard a serious political debate on how parties plan to address crimes by their own leaders' children?
This silence—social, political, and institutional—indicates not just decay but complicity. The electorate, civil society, even parts of the judiciary sometimes seem numbed by repetition. Outrage becomes a cycle: viral today, forgotten tomorrow.
Conclusion: Justice Delayed, Democracy Betrayed
The Vikas Barala-Varnika Kundu episode is more than a trial; it is a mirror held up to Indian democracy. The case forces us to ask:
What does justice mean when victims must navigate the same corridors of power that shelter the accused?
How long will India tolerate the casual handover of its political system from one generation to the next, like zamindari rights passed through family lines?
Can a nation that celebrates political privilege ever truly protect its most vulnerable citizens—especially women?
Until we stop equating bloodlines with leadership, until we start demanding transparency and integrity over surname and connections, the uncomfortable truth will remain:
In India, justice is often delayed not because the system is broken but because it is designed to bend for those born into power.
References:
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