The stir in the political circles of the country intensified when 42 former judges associated with the judiciary and administrative system issued a joint open letter. Through this letter, these distinguished retired judges have expressed deep concern over the ongoing protests and political statements against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Recently, there have been continuous sharp attacks by the opposition regarding the revision of voter lists and the election process. Amidst all this, this strong stance of 42 former judges is being considered as a big message to maintain the dignity of the constitutional institutions of the country. Condemning the systematic attacks on constitutional institutions and the Election Commission, in this open letter, the judges have clearly stated that at present a planned campaign is being carried out to weaken the highest constitutional institutions of the country, especially the Election Commission of India (ECI). Indecent words like 'puppet', 'thief' and 'compromiser' are being used against the Chief Election Commissioner and warnings like facing consequences in case of change of power are being given, which are completely unacceptable. The judges who signed the letter have written that if such anarchical language is used against the officials conducting elections in the world's largest democracy, then the general public will start losing faith in democracy and the voting system. Judges believe that unrest always begins with a well-planned narrative, which extremists and anarchists try to take advantage of. Open support of 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) While defending the process of 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR), the former judges said that it is a completely legal and prescribed process whose main objective is to prepare a transparent, clean and accurate voter list in the country. He emphasized that the real capital of democracy is the trust of the common people. Questioning the fairness and validity of elections without any concrete evidence can create unnecessary tension and unrest in the country. Ideological criticism of institutions is the democratic right of every citizen and political party, but it is not justified to personally demean institutions or insult their officials. Questions raised on allegations of EVM and vote theft: The letter also takes a sharp dig at the tendency of making serious allegations like electronic voting machines (EVM) and 'vote theft' after losing the elections. Former judges said such allegations are often made in press conferences, but when courts or the Election Commission seek formal affidavits or evidence in support of these claims, no concrete documents are produced. The political parties which have been in power in the country for decades are today questioning the entire system through which they came to power. This letter, signed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Pankaj Mittal and many other eminent former High Court Chief Justices and judges of the country, has made it clear that now the stalwarts of the justice world are also coming forward openly to protect the constitutional institutions of the country.
