Rahul Gandhi : Nearly 300 retired judges, bureaucrats, former Army officers, and diplomats have criticized the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, for allegedly trying to discredit constitutional organizations like the Election Commission as part of the opposition party’s “vote chori” campaign. The accusations are a “attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis,” according to the group’s open letter.
The letter has 272 signatories, including 133 retired military officers, 123 former officials (including 14 ambassadors), and 16 retired judges. Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid, former RAW chief Sanjeev Tripathi, former IFS Laxmi Puri, and other notable individuals are among the 272 signatories.
This development coincides with Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing criticism of the SIR process and the Election Commission, accusing them of promoting “vote chori.” The Congress has called the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR process “deeply disappointing” and urged that it immediately demonstrate that it is not influenced by the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi : What have previous judges, officials, and others said?
In a letter titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities,” the signatories stated, “We, the senior citizens of civil society, express our grave concern that India’s democracy is under attack, not by force, but by a rising tide of venomous rhetoric directed at its foundational institutions. Instead of providing serious policy alternatives, some political leaders use aggressive but baseless allegations as part of their theatrical political tactics.
After attempting to tarnish the Indian Armed Forces by questioning their valour and accomplishments, and the Judiciary by questioning its fairness, Parliament, and its constitutional functionaries, the Election Commission of India is now facing systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation.”
The signatories slammed the Congress leader, claiming that he has frequently criticized the Election Commission and that he had open and shut evidence that the Commission is complicit in vote stealing.
The letter characterized the Congress leader’s “atom bomb” remarks as “unbelievably uncouth rhetoric”. “Yet, despite such scathing accusations, there has been no formal complaint filed by him, along with the prescribed sworn affidavit, to escape his accountability for levelling unsubstantiated allegations and threatening public servants in performance of their duty,” the contents of the letter indicate.
“Moreover, several senior figures of Congress and other political parties, leftist NGOs, ideologically opinionated scholars, and a few attention seekers in other walks of life, have joined in with similarly blistering rhetoric against SIR, even declaring that the Commission has descended into complete shamelessness by acting like the ‘B-team of the BJP’. Such fiery rhetoric may be emotionally powerful – but it collapses under scrutiny, because the ECI has publicly shared its SIR methodology, overseen verification by court-sanctioned means, removed ineligible names in a compliant manner, and added new eligible voters. This suggests that these accusations are an attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis,” it states.
The letter goes on to claim that Congress leaders’ behavior indicates “impotent rage” – deep resentment caused by repeated election loss and disillusionment, with no real plan to reconnect with voters.
“When political leaders lose touch with the aspirations of ordinary citizens, they lash out at institutions instead of rebuilding their credibility. Theatrics replace analysis. Public spectacle takes the place of public service. The irony is stark: when electoral outcomes are favourable in certain States where opposition-driven political parties form governments, criticism of the Election Commission disappears. When they are unfavourable in certain States, the Commission becomes the villain in every narrative. This selective outrage exposes opportunism, not conviction. It is a convenient deflection: to give the impression that loss is not a result of strategy, but conspiracy,” it states.
The letter mentions past Chief Election Commissioners TN Seshan and N Gopalaswami, stating that their unwavering leadership converted the Election Commission into a formidable constitutional sentinel.
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