NEW DELHI: Amid intensifying Opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, 42 former judges have issued a strongly worded open letter expressing grave concern over what they described as a sustained campaign to undermine the Election Commission, the judiciary and other constitutional institutions.
The signatories questioned allegations of “vote theft” made without supporting evidence and warned that repeatedly branding constitutional authorities as “thieves” and “compromised” could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“Our concern is grave. India’s constitutional bodies are under sustained attack. The Election Commission of India stands at the centre of this assault. Even the higher judiciary which we hold in high esteem, and statutory agencies have not been spared,” the ex-judges wrote.
The letter added, “Criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Denigration is not”.
“Constitutional authorities are now branded ‘thieves’, ‘puppets’ and ‘compromised’ from public platforms. Officers who conduct our elections are named, shamed and openly warned of reprisal once power changes hands. No court of law has found any of these charges proven,” the former judges said in their open letter.
The former judges also defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing it as a legally established exercise aimed at ensuring clean and accurate voter lists. They warned that attempts to delegitimise elections could fuel unrest and embolden “anarchic elements”, stressing that “trust is the currency of democracy”.
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