India is awakening once again
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A symbolic trial and a massive public rally—what the national capital has witnessed over the past two days — serve as a stern warning against the denial of civil rights and a declaration of struggle. The immediate demand is the resignation of the Chief Commissioner, who spearheaded the subversion of the electoral process. Ultimately, however, what the collective strength of the people, comprising opposition parties, victims of electoral manipulation, and the citizenry at large, aims for is the restoration of Indian democracy. In this regard, a new chapter of history has been written in Delhi. It is at a time when democratic institutions have, to varying degrees, capitulated to the irregular practices of the regime that the Indian citizenry has taken directly to the streets to reclaim the nation. In this ‘Modi-raj’, where civil rights and freedoms are denied, evidence of the systematic deprivation of the fundamental right to vote lies before the public and the judiciary. The mass protest movements, described as a ‘second freedom struggle,’ represent a crucial step toward averting the complete collapse of democracy in the country. At the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, a 'trial’ staged in the style of the old Parliament served in many respects as a parliament representing the entirety of India. It marked the beginning of a new, genuinely democratic chapter, featuring parties and leaders who represent over 70 per cent of the Indian citizenry.
Presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the proceedings enumerated the transgressions of the Election Commission; notably, when the Commission conducted the last elections it had effectively disenfranchised more than 130 million citizens. (Taking population growth into account, this figure could reach as high as 160 million). Data indicate that the change in governance in several states, including West Bengal, was brought about through vote theft. Evidence has also emerged showing the deliberate exclusion of Muslim voters. The unlawful alteration of 'Form 6' was part of this fraudulent scheme. By bypassing local officials, who are authorised to identify genuine voters, all authority was illegally centralised within the Election Commission through the use of software. Although the law mandates that the Election Commission must reach decisions based on a majority consensus, the Chief Election Commissioner acted in violation of this by unilaterally imposing his own rulings. Beyond the unlawful removal of votes, there have been numerous instances where ineligible voters were fraudulently added to the rolls. Many living voters were struck off the list on the false premise that they had died. Under the guise of "logical discrepancies", 2.7 million voters were unjustly removed. By permitting this as an interim measure, the judiciary in effect placed its stamp of approval on the disenfranchisement of these voters. Even the appointment of the Election Commission lacks fairness; several elections took place while a petition challenging these appointments is still pending before the court.
It is against the backdrop of a grave situation, where constitutional institutions, including the judiciary, have failed to rectify the deliberate lapses of the Election Commission, that the conscience of India has declared, through a symbolic trial: the Chief Election Commissioner has committed treason; he must be removed from his position, put on trial, and punished. The process of cleansing should not be limited merely to the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. All democratic and constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, must be held accountable to the people. Through the ‘Delhi Chalo’ mega-rally, India has also served as a reminder of this necessity. The theft of votes is merely one facet of the issue. The forces operating in the background aim to alter the citizenship register. In the version they envision, there would be second-class citizens devoid of rights. Much like the citizenship laws enacted in Germany nine decades ago, the 'Nazis' here are using Gyanesh Kumar as an instrument to implement ethnic division and discrimination in India. The nation has by now come to realise this. A new India, one that recognises unity amidst diversity, is now awakening. In 1789, King Louis XVI of France closed the parliament building to block the people's representatives. The representatives gathered at a nearby tennis court and declared a protest. Within a week, the King relented. Those who shut the doors of India's democratic institutions today in the face of the people should learn this lesson from history.
