Forty-two former judges and retired constitutional veterans have issued a strong open letter expressing deep concern over a sustained political campaign targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI) and other constitutional institutions.
Stating that “silence is no longer a neutral choice,” the signatories criticised baseless allegations of “vote theft” and the denigration of constitutional authorities as “puppets.”
The letter strongly defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, emphasising that it operates under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The signatories noted that urbanisation and migration necessitate clean voter lists to protect every genuine vote, dismissing the recent uproar as politically motivated.
Warning that continuous attacks undermine public trust—the core currency of democracy—the former judges urged political parties to present evidence through due process rather than delegitimising institutions. They also cautioned the media against amplifying unverified claims, reminding citizens that public faith in the electoral process remains vital for safeguarding the nation’s democratic rights.
