Assam Jatiya Parishad Slams Detention of Protesters at Jantar Mantar
Assam Jatiya Parishad demands the release of Kunki Chowdhury and others detained during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar over electoral roll concerns.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad has issued a scathing condemnation following the detention of its Joint Secretary, Kunki Chowdhury, along with several high-profile activists during a peaceful demonstration in New Delhi. The protesters were intercepted while heading to Jantar Mantar to raise urgent concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The group, which included senior advocate Prashant Bhushan and activist Yogendra Yadav, sought to highlight the potential for eligible voters to be unfairly excluded from electoral lists. Their demonstration aimed to demand greater transparency and accountability within the current electoral processes.
Demands for Electoral Transparency
In a joint statement, Assam Jatiya Parishad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi and General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan emphasized the critical importance of voter inclusion. They argued that a large-scale revision like the SIR must be handled with extreme care to prevent disenfranchisement.
“Every eligible citizen must be able to exercise their right to vote without fear or uncertainty,” the leaders stated. They further stressed that authorities are obligated to implement:
- Transparent procedures during the revision process.
- Adequate public information to keep citizens informed.
- Effective grievance mechanisms to resolve errors or omissions.
The organization maintained that public confidence in the democratic process relies entirely on the integrity of these electoral rolls, ensuring no citizen is left without a way to challenge an omission.
Call for Immediate Release
The Assam Jatiya Parishad has formally urged the Delhi Police and relevant administrative authorities to immediately release Kunki Chowdhury, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, and all other peaceful demonstrators currently in custody. They argued that the detention of individuals exercising their right to assembly is a violation of constitutional protections.
The leadership expressed deep concern over the suppression of dissent, noting that democracy thrives on the ability of citizens to ask difficult questions. They cautioned that instead of using coercive measures, the Central Government should engage with legitimate concerns through dialogue and democratic institutions.
“Young people and citizens who express concern over electoral reforms must be heard, not intimidated or suppressed,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the organization's commitment to defending electoral integrity and the voice of the people.