A Constitutional Breach That Demands Reflection — A Statement by Shanta Chhetri
Though I was not physically present during the events that unfolded today, I have followed them with deep concern—through live coverage, firsthand accounts, and reliable sources. What I witnessed and heard has left me profoundly disturbed.
Nearly 300 elected Members of Parliament from the Opposition had sought a legitimate audience with the Election Commission to raise pressing concerns about electoral integrity. Instead of being received with the respect their constitutional mandate warrants, they were reportedly misled, detained, and prevented from reaching the EC’s office. The police, acting under the direction of the current regime, allegedly assured them they were being escorted to the Commission. In reality, they were taken to a police station and held until 2:10 PM—effectively barring them from attending Parliament.
This is not a minor procedural anomaly. It is a serious breach of democratic decorum.
The MPs had intended to present four critical demands regarding Systematic Irregularities in the Voters’ List (SIR):
- An FIR against former Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, whose alleged manipulation of the voters’ list must be investigated with full transparency.
- A call for digitisation of the voters’ list, to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and protection against tampering.
- A halt to any ongoing SIR processes, particularly in Opposition-ruled states. If the voters’ list is flawed, the accountability lies with the Union government—not with the states.
- A refusal to share BLA-2 details—including personal information of booth-level agents—with the Election Commission, given legitimate fears of misuse.
These demands are not partisan provocations. They are rooted in constitutional responsibility and democratic ethics.
As someone who has served in Parliament and remains committed to the values of our Republic, I find today’s developments deeply troubling. The dignity of elected representatives must be upheld. Institutions must remain impartial. And above all, the voice of the people—expressed through their MPs—must never be silenced or sidelined.
I urge every citizen to reflect on what this moment signifies. Democracy is not merely a system—it is a sacred trust. When that trust is violated, we must speak, we must question, and we must act.
Jai Hind.
Ex-MP Shanta Chhetri, Rajya Sabha
