"Welcome courage to call a spade a spade": Congress' Abhishek Singhvi endorses Justice Bhuyan, Justice Nariman's view on right to vote
Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi praises Justice Bhuyan and Justice Nariman for their fearless stance on vote dilution and electoral integrity.
Congress Member of Parliament and Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has come out in strong support of recent remarks made by prominent jurists regarding the sanctity of voting rights in India.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Singhvi lauded the fearlessness and directness displayed by sitting Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and former apex court judge Justice R F Nariman. Both jurists have recently raised significant concerns regarding the potential for vote dilution and the elimination of voters from electoral rolls.
A Call for Fearless Discourse
While acknowledging that the core issues of electoral integrity are not entirely new, Singhvi emphasized that the manner in which these legal minds addressed the subject was unprecedented. He noted that it is the specificity and outspokenness of their statements that sets them apart.
"There is nothing new in what each said. What is new is their fearlessness, their specificity, and outspokenness in saying so. I hope and trust that more and more sections of civil society in India—engineers, doctors, architects, lawyers, housewives—think it over and speak in the same fearless tone," Singhvi remarked.
The Congress MP further encouraged citizens from all walks of life to reflect on these judicial observations and adopt a similar level of candour when discussing the health of the nation's democracy.
The Jurists' Warning on Disenfranchisement
The endorsement follows a powerful address by Justice Bhuyan at the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad. During the 19th NALSAR BRS Moot Court Competition, the Supreme Court judge warned against any administrative processes that might lead to the arbitrary removal of citizens from the voting process.
Justice Bhuyan's key observations included:
- Any process that results in the disenfranchisement of millions of citizens is intrinsically arbitrary.
- Such actions effectively turn citizens into "second-class citizens" within their own country.
- These actions strike at the very heart of the Indian Constitution and cannot be justified by mere political rhetoric.
Singhvi also highlighted the expertise of Justice (retd) Nariman, noting that his recent discussions specifically focused on the rights of the "common man," a theme that resonated deeply with the concerns raised by Justice Bhuyan.
Context of Electoral Roll Controversies
The remarks from the judiciary arrive amidst heightened scrutiny of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The opposition has been vocal in its criticism regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with some leaders demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The controversy gained momentum following reports suggesting internal friction within the Commission. It was reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised formal objections on multiple occasions concerning voter registration, electoral rolls, and the Commission's technological systems.
However, the Election Commission has dismissed claims of institutional dissent. The poll panel maintained that the queries and suggestions raised during the draft stages were standard administrative procedures and that all final decisions regarding the SIR exercise were reached unanimously.