National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has asserted that recent protests against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) reflect a growing public courage to bring about change in the country, particularly in light of alleged deletions from voter rolls. Speaking at the fifth ‘Halla Bolle’ conclave, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister strongly criticized the Election Commission, stating that no authority has the right to remove an Indian citizen from the electoral register. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Abdullah highlighted widespread knowledge of names being removed from voter lists, with subsequent dismissive responses from officials regarding potential reinstatement in future elections. He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the right to vote for every Indian citizen, and any removal from the list infringes upon this fundamental right.
Abdullah further alleged that the deletions were selective, with Muslims being particularly targeted. He cited the removal of an eminent lawyer like Kapil Sibal from the list as an example of the extent of this practice. According to Abdullah, the objective behind these actions is to ensure a perpetual hold on power, achieved by manipulating the electorate to serve specific interests. He stated, “Because their objective is: ‘We have to stay in power until eternity, and to do that, we need people who will do our bidding’.” Despite these criticisms, Abdullah expressed optimism, noting that winds of change are beginning to blow across India and that the nation’s spirit remains vibrant. He observed a burgeoning courage among the populace, indicating that a shift in power dynamics is imminent, irrespective of his own presence.
The National Conference chief elaborated that the people are the true architects of the nation, having built it from its extremities, and it is they who will ultimately determine its greatness. He pointed to the Forward Bloc party as an example of a movement that has begun to embody this resurgence, asserting that India is very much alive and resilient. Abdullah conveyed his gratitude for the increasing number of people and political parties who are now actively rising up and refusing to accept what he described as unacceptable practices. He referenced recent large-scale protests in Mumbai and Delhi against the CEC and the Special Investigation Report (SIR) exercise as evidence of this growing dissent. Abdullah also drew attention to the bravery of a young woman who confronted authorities demanding identification, highlighting her assertive response to a police officer asking for her documents, stating, “First show your badge so we know who you are!” This incident, as recounted by the former chief minister, exemplifies the courage he believes is emerging among the youth.
Reflecting on the institutional framework, Abdullah lamented what he considered a significant oversight during Jawaharlal Nehru’s administration: the failure to establish the Election Commission as a fully autonomous body. He posited that had the Election Commission been entirely independent, the country would not be facing its current predicaments. The NC chief also criticized the current government’s selection process for the Chief Election Commissioner, noting that it involves two members from the government and only one from the opposition. He argued that this imbalance inherently favors the ruling party, rendering the opposition leader’s input largely ineffective. Abdullah alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government appointed a secretary from his own department as the Election Commission’s chief, whom he described as being heavily biased towards the BJP and working in alignment with the Sangh Parivar. The former Union minister further expressed his dismay that the ruling party has, in his view, disregarded the Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar, which he believes should be the guiding document for the nation. He concluded this point by stating that Ambedkar has been sidelined, a development he finds deeply tragic.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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