Forty two former judges have written an Open Letter to the people of India, expressing concern over attempts to undermine the Election Commission, judiciary and other constitutional institutions. They wrote that the Election Commission stands at the centre of this, and even the higher judiciary and statutory agencies have not been spared.
The letter expressed concern that India's constitutional bodies are under sustained attack. They alleged that this is a campaign driven by vested political interests, with little regard for potentially devastating consequences of destabilising the world’s largest democracy.
The letter highlighted that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is valid under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. They pointed out that the last SIR was completed about two decades back and no one called those revisions a conspiracy. The signatories also emphasised that the Supreme Court has upheld the SIR as lawful and within the Election Commission's powers.
They appealed to political parties to contest elections and not delegitimise them. They also urged media to not amplify conjecture and speculation without scrutinising and verifying claims. The letter urged constitutional bodies to stand firm, remain transparent and stay above the political fray.
This is a news report by Akashvani News (All India Radio), reproduced as issued.
