A group of over 200 retired judges, bureaucrats, military officers, and diplomats has publicly criticised congress and leader of the Opposition rahul Gandhi.
The criticism focuses on the “vote chori” campaign, in which gandhi alleged large-scale irregularities by the election commission (EC).
The group released an open letter, calling Gandhi’s accusations “an attempt to cloak political frustration as an institutional crisis.”
Signatories of the Statement
The letter has 272 signatories in total:
16 former judges
123 retired civil servants
133 ex-Army officers
14 former ambassadors
Concerns About Rhetoric and Democracy
The group warns that India’s democratic institutions are under attack, not by force, but by “venomous rhetoric.”
Some political leaders are accused of using provocative and unverified claims instead of presenting credible policy alternatives.
The letter notes a pattern of targeting key institutions: the judiciary, the armed forces, Parliament, and the constitutional authorities.
The ec is now being subjected to “systematic and conspiratorial attacks” by opposition leaders.
Rahul gandhi Specifically Criticized
Gandhi is singled out for repeatedly claiming the ec is complicit in vote theft.
His “atom bomb” remark is described as “unbelievably uncouth rhetoric.”
The group points out that gandhi has not filed a formal complaint or affidavit, avoiding accountability for his allegations.
Criticism of Broader Opposition and NGOs
Other congress leaders, opposition parties, left-leaning NGOs, academics, and activists are also criticised for labeling the ec as the “B-team of the BJP.”
The letter argues these criticisms collapse under scrutiny, noting that:
The ec has made its State-wise Electoral Roll (SIR) methodology public.
Verification processes have been court-approved.
Ineligible names were removed and eligible voters added.
Conclusion of the Letter
The allegations are seen as an effort to turn political disappointment into a narrative of institutional breakdown.
The congress has not yet responded to this open letter.
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