A collective of 272 distinguished citizens, including former judges, ambassadors, retired bureaucrats, and Armed Forces veterans, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, for their ongoing attacks on key constitutional institutions, specifically the Election Commission of India (ECI). In an open letter released on Wednesday, this group articulated their serious concerns over the Congress leaders’ actions that they believe undermine the integrity of essential democratic institutions such as the Armed Forces, Judiciary, Parliament, and now the ECI.
The signatories criticized the Leader of Opposition, along with his Left allies, for employing damaging rhetoric against the Election Commission instead of using appropriate legal channels to address any grievances. The letter states, “The LoP has repeatedly attacked the Election Commission, asserting that he possesses irrefutable evidence of vote theft and has complete proof of misconduct.” It further describes his harsh language, likening his claims to an “atom bomb” that, when detonated, would reveal the Commission’s alleged misdeeds, insisting that he would not spare anyone involved at any level, labeling their actions as treasonous.
Justice S.N. Dhingra, a former Delhi High Court judge, and Nirmal Kaur, former Jharkhand DGP, co-authored the letter, which boasts a diverse array of signatories, including former Supreme Court justices and numerous military veterans. The letter holds a mirror to political parties, particularly Congress, and states, “When political leaders lose sight of the public’s aspirations, they lash out at institutions rather than restoring their trustworthiness. Theatrics replace substance, turning public service into a spectacle.”
The authors pointed out the inconsistency of political parties’ reactions in the wake of electoral defeats, accusing them of opportunism. They noted that when election outcomes favor the opposition, these leaders consider the results legitimate; however, when results are unfavorable, the Election Commission suddenly becomes a focal point of criticism. The prominent citizens in support of the ECI emphasized the importance of its continued commitment to transparency and rigorous processes, arguing that the legitimacy of electoral rolls transcends partisan interests and is a national priority.
The letter urges the Election Commission to persist in its transparent practices, suggesting that it publish comprehensive data, defend itself through legal means as needed, and reject any political framing that depicts it as a victim. Additionally, it calls on political leaders to honor constitutional processes and accept electoral outcomes gracefully, reaffirming their unwavering faith in constitutional institutions that have recently faced opposition scrutiny, including the Indian Armed Forces, the Judiciary, and the ECI.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/11/19/theatrics-over-analysis-spectacle-over-service-272-eminent-citizens-castigate-rahul-cong-for-maligning-eci/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-11-19 13:33:00
