There are enough reasons why the Election Commission of India has chosen to conduct the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. It is not a casual exercise but a dedicated attempt to protect the integrity of democracy. Well, all should agree that free and fair elections are the heartbeat of a republic.
Yet it is almost perplexing to watch certain political parties throw tantrums and cry hysterically in protest against the SIR. One wonders whether such protests don’t encourage people with ulterior motives. Can we turn a blind eye to the fact that the electoral voter lists in many states have been weighed down by outgrowths. Please note, such outgrowths might turn out to be “malignant”.
India, surrounded by neighbours who often look upon her with fierce animosity, should not be caught napping. I think this alertness is not merely the duty of the state but the responsibility of every single citizen. Was ECI not startled to come across lakhs and lakhs of forged or duplicate voter cards in Bihar. West Bengal is in convulsion due to the detection of large numbers of discrepancies and suspected fraudulent entries in the electoral rolls during SIR. How could this have happened? Such anomalies seem hardly possible without the backing of political forces.
Due to decades of unchecked influx of illegal immigrants, Assam has now been facing challenge after challenge. No exaggeration, the ruling government often finds it difficult to deal with forces that rejoice at tragedies. Instead of shedding tears for victims of the Pulwama massacre and the Delhi blast, some clap in praise of the heartless perpetrators. What is all this about? Is it not a serious concern? Well, one shudders to imagine the consequences if our leaders are driven by a hunger for vote banks rather than the safety of the people and of the nation.
Here one feels strongly that the outburst around the Special Intensive Revision(SIR) must therefore rise above narrow politics and prejudices. It is not a weapon to be wielded against opponents. It is a shield to protect the sanctity of the electoral process in the larger interest of citizens.
Sadly, we have witnessed enough violence and bloodshed in the name of elections and the consequences thereafter. Be warned, “humanity” would be wounded and if the wrong forces find shelter and start flexing their muscles.
