Stripping Evicted People of Voting Rights is Unconstitutional: Salman Khurshid
Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid slams BJP over Assam eviction drives, alleging that removing citizenship and voting rights violates the Constitution.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central and state governments in Assam, raising serious alarms over the protection of constitutional rights during eviction drives. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, the senior jurist asserted that while demolishing homes is a form of cruelty, the act of stripping displaced individuals of their voting rights and citizenship constitutes a fatal blow to democracy.
Khurshid argued that denying relocated individuals the ability to register as voters at their new sites is a direct violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life and liberty.
Allegations of Arbitrary Deportations and Political Expediency
During his address at Rajiv Bhawan, Khurshid specifically targeted the BJP’s candidate for the upcoming assembly by-election, former District Commissioner Devashish Sharma. He accused Sharma of making arbitrary decisions to deport legitimate citizens for political gain.
"The courts have also questioned the current status of two women expelled to Bangladesh due to such decisions. Tragically, the ruling party has nominated such an official," Khurshid remarked, contrasting him with the Congress candidate and former MLA Sibamoni Bora, whom he described as a figure of transparent public service.
The NRC Crisis and Judicial Oversight
Turning his attention to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Khurshid highlighted the lingering uncertainties following the 2019 final list. He noted that despite the process being monitored by the Supreme Court, significant gaps remain:
- 3.11 crore individuals included in the list are still waiting to receive their National Identity Cards under Rule 13.
- Over 19 lakh excluded people are awaiting mandatory rejection slips required to file their appeals.
The Congress leader cautioned that any unilateral attempt to tamper with the NRC process would amount to contempt of the Supreme Court's directives.
Concerns Over Law and Order and Extrajudicial Killings
Khurshid also raised grave concerns regarding the state of law and order in Assam, citing data presented in court. He pointed out that between May 2021 and August 2022, 171 police encounters occurred in the state, resulting in:
- 56 deaths
- 4 custodial deaths
- 145 injuries
He emphasized that extrajudicial killings have no place in a civilized society governed by the rule of law. Furthermore, he flagged the issue of "pushbacks" into Bangladesh, noting that assembly data shows 3,697 deportations over the last two years were conducted without formal notices or due process.
Autonomy of the Election Commission and the UCC
The former Minister also touched upon national issues, questioning the autonomy of the Election Commission. He alleged that recent internal decisions were made unilaterally by the Chief Election Commissioner, overriding the dissent of two fellow commissioners—a matter currently before the Supreme Court.
On the subject of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Khurshid dismissed it as a "diversionary tactic," stating that such a code cannot be imposed without respecting the country's diverse cultural fabric and the rulings of the Supreme Court’s nine-judge bench.
Concluding his briefing, Khurshid invoked the spirit of unity within the INDIA bloc, suggesting that leaders must focus on what they can contribute to the alliance rather than what the alliance can do for them.