'Be Brave, Uphold Constitution': Chidambaram Urges CEOs to Expose Unlawful Acts
P Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi launch fierce attacks on the Election Commission over alleged unlawful acts during electoral roll revisions.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram has made a stirring appeal to state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), calling on them to break their silence and expose what he describes as "unlawful acts" occurring during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a scathing critique shared on social media platform X, Chidambaram alleged that massive irregularities have taken place under the directions of Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. He specifically pointed to the exclusion of a staggering 13.30 crore individuals from the electoral rolls—excluding those who are deceased—labeling the move a "grave illegality."
A Call to Conscience
Chidambaram’s message was a direct challenge to the integrity of election officials, urging them to prioritize their constitutional duties over administrative pressures. "I urge all Chief Electoral Officers of states to speak NOW and expose the unlawful acts that they were compelled to commit under S.I.R. on the directions of Mr Gyanesh Kumar," he stated, adding, "Be brave, and uphold the Constitution of India."
The former minister's comments come amidst a period of intense political volatility regarding the management of India's voter databases and the transparency of the electoral process.
Rahul Gandhi Demands CEC Resignation
The firestorm surrounding the Election Commission was further stoked by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Congress leader escalated his attack, demanding the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Gandhi highlighted ongoing protests by thousands of young people, which he characterized as a fight against "vote theft." He noted that many protesters had been detained while attempting to exercise their constitutional rights peacefully. "Bapu taught us exactly this - speak the truth, fight peacefully. And that's what scares this government the most," Gandhi remarked, asserting that while physical force might suppress a crowd, it cannot silence fundamental questions.
Nationwide Protests and Detentions
The controversy has moved from political rhetoric to the streets, triggering widespread demonstrations across major Indian cities:
- Delhi: More than 500 people were reportedly detained during protests. Several opposition leaders, including AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, were also taken into custody under prohibitory restrictions.
- Mumbai: Demonstrations led by civil society groups were held at Shivaji Park, demanding much-needed transparency in the electoral-roll revision process.
The INDIA bloc is reportedly planning to intensify its campaign, with significant protests scheduled for October 6 and a massive rally planned for Delhi on November 1.
Internal Friction within the Election Commission?
The allegations of irregularity gained additional weight following a report suggesting internal dissent within the poll panel. According to reports, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over a ten-month period regarding procedures related to the SIR exercise. These objections reportedly touched upon sensitive areas such as voter deletions, Form 6 issues, and access to electoral-roll databases.
However, the Election Commission (ECI) has dismissed claims of institutional dissent. The commission maintained that any queries or suggestions raised during the draft stages are a standard part of the administrative decision-making process and emphasized that all decisions regarding the SIR schedule were made unanimously.