I T IS most unfortunate that former Chief Election Commissioner Mr. S.Y. Quraishi has continued to indulge in a shameless distortion of facts while criticising the process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In spite of the fact that he has known the system that operates the idea of SIR (as a former Chief Election Commissioner), he has said to everybody’s shock and surprise that it is a process of exclusion.

 

This is nothing but a very serious and deliberate distortion which Mr. Quraishi has indulged in to promote some sly political purpose. Of course, he has done this before, and he is doing it now as well. He is, thus, making a mockery of the spirit with which the Election Commission undertakes the SIR from time to time -- as per the tenets of the Constitution and the letter and spirit of the law. To mark the release of his new book -- ‘India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not A Memoir’, Mr. Quraishi has spewed vitriol against SIR in a media interaction. In order to make his vitriolic statement sound intellectual, Mr. Quraishi has promoted the idea of voting as a fundamental right which should be granted to every citizen as a constitutional offering. While there may never be any question about treating voting as a fundamental right, very serious questions need to be raised against Mr. Quraishi’s argument against SIR as an exclusionary process.

 

After the Election Commission launched the SIR, elections were held successfully in different States -- where the electoral rolls saw deletion of fake or repetitive names and addition of many genuine names. Those numbers were, of course, in lakhs, no doubt. But that showed how some elements were keen on abusing and misusing the system to push fake names in the voters’ lists with a view to pad up their respective votebanks. As all this was happening, Mr. Quraishi was among those politicallydriven intellectuals and political leaders who raised a ruckus against the SIR. He and his cohorts in this campaign did not have any proper answer to offer when they were asked why there no questions were raised about the integrity and purpose of SIR in some States where legislative elections were successfully held -- like Assam, like Tamil Nadu, like Keralam, like Puducherry. Mr. Quraishi or his cohorts of the campaign also did not have a convincing response to the question as to why they indulged in selective opposition to the concept of SIR -- in Bihar or West Bengal (for example).Every Indian citizen has a right to hold political views and even take part in political activities -- as per a constitutional guarantee.

 

Mr. Quraishi, too, has the same right as does every one else. Yet, if anybody, including Mr. S.Y. Quraishi, distorts facts and mocks at the spirit and integrity of certain constitutional processes, then the system should have no tolerance for their politically-driven assertions (aimed mainly at opposing the Government for no logic and reason). The allegation of Mr. Quraishi that SIR is focused on exclusion and is playing havoc with democracy is nothing but a clear and deliberate distortion of reality. Obviously, he is playing political games to suit somebody’s uncouth designs. He might have held a high constitutional position in the Indian system, all right (for which he is always respected). But at least now, he is keeping himself engaged in political games to bring disrepute to the Constitution and the country and the Government (of whichever party).

 

Therefore, he should be told in no uncertain terms that he is indulging in utter nonsense. Serious questions are being raised about the integrity of the people who kick up controversies on such issues. It is also believed by some sections of the larger Indian society that these elements are being nursed and funded by some foreign powers that are interested in destabilising India in this or that manner. Many political parties and intellectuals are suspected to be under those external influences. Is Mr. S.Y. Quraishi included in those ?