National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti have sharply criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questioning the Election Commission’s rationale and warning that the country could face the same constitutional erosion experienced in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a large gathering at the ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally in Delhi, both leaders targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government over the ongoing electoral process. Farooq Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically challenged the Election Commission’s justification for the SIR exercise, which has been defended as a measure to identify and remove infiltrators from voter lists. He questioned whether individuals whose names were allegedly removed from electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh were also being labeled as Pakistanis, highlighting a perceived pattern of discrimination. “Over one crore Hindus have been removed in UP. Are they also Pakistanis? How long will you give this excuse?” Abdullah asked, accusing the poll body of facilitating ‘vote chori,’ a term implying electoral malpractice. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the opposition bloc is consolidating its efforts to challenge such electoral practices nationwide.
Abdullah further addressed what he described as the repeated questioning of the patriotism of Muslims by the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He asserted that members of the Muslim community have made significant sacrifices for the nation and deserve to live with dignity and contribute to its strengthening. “They are pointing fingers at Muslims all the time, calling them Pakistanis. I want to tell the BJP-RSS, we have given our blood for the country. We have to live in this country and strengthen it,” he stated. Citing the Constitution drafted under the leadership of B.R. Ambedkar, Abdullah emphasized the principle of equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, and their equal right to vote. “This is Ambedkar’s Constitution. We are all equal and every citizen has equal voting right. We have to ensure no Indian is denied the right to vote,” he added, underscoring the fundamental democratic principle of universal suffrage.
Mehbooba Mufti, president of the PDP, echoed these concerns, issuing a stark warning that the rest of India might experience the same constitutional and political transformations that Jammu and Kashmir underwent in 2019. She alleged that the Indian Constitution was being systematically weakened and accused the central government of prioritizing the transfer of national assets to corporate interests while neglecting the plight of the poor and unemployed. “Seeing you people, it feels you understand the problem and can change the situation in the country. If you don’t change it now, it will be too late,” Mufti told the rally attendees, urging them to act decisively. As per information available with Tahir Rihat, the opposition is framing these issues as critical threats to India’s democratic fabric.
Mufti also raised questions about the government’s employment record, claiming that promises of job creation had not been fulfilled. She pointed out that even individuals who had joined the armed forces with pride were reportedly reduced to working as daily wage laborers. Targeting the BJP’s claims of championing Hindutva, she alluded to alleged irregularities in donations received for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. “They have stolen donations from the Ram temple. What can be a bigger shame?” she questioned, drawing a parallel between financial impropriety and religious sentiment. The leaders’ statements come amidst ongoing debates about electoral integrity and the future of democratic institutions in India.
Linking the current political climate to the events in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of the state into two Union Territories in 2019, Mufti stated that the people of the region had firsthand experience of the consequences of weakened constitutional safeguards. “We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been destroyed. They hollowed out the Constitution in 2019. But you should ensure they don’t make the whole country Jammu and Kashmir. We are with you,” she declared, drawing a direct parallel between the situation in the Union Territory and potential future scenarios for the rest of the country. The rally, organized by the INDIA bloc, aimed to galvanize opposition support against the ruling party’s policies and perceived authoritarian tendencies. The leaders’ remarks underscore a growing concern among opposition parties regarding the direction of governance and the protection of constitutional rights across India.
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.
Leave a Reply