Political Leaders and Journalists Denounce Electoral Roll Irregularities
Senior Congress leader Vivek Tankha and former editor R. Rajagopal, along with journalist Sagarika Ghose and CPI(M) leader M A Baby, have voiced strong criticism over the deletion of names from India's electoral rolls, calling it an attack on democratic rights. Tankha tweeted on June 28, 2026, expressing dismay at the nation's departure from the rule of law established by the founding fathers. Ghose highlighted Rajagopal's ordeal: his name was removed from the electoral roll, denying him the right to vote, and his passport renewal was stalled for 100 days due to an adverse police report.
Impact on Citizens and Constitutional Rights
Ghose's tweet on June 27, 2026, described Rajagopal's experience as shocking and heartrending, and warned that ordinary citizens with fewer resources face even greater hardships. She noted that being deleted from the electoral roll also led to denial of voting rights and prolonged passport delays. M A Baby, in a series of tweets, accused the BJP's Hindutva agenda of using the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to disenfranchise lakhs of people. He stated that the "ugly fangs of the SIR" (Suspected Integrated Route) are preventing citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote and determining citizenship in a divisive manner.
Call for Accountability
The statements underscore a growing concern that electoral roll deletions are not merely administrative errors but a systematic tool to target specific communities. Tankha's tweet lamented the irrationality of the nation undermining its foundational principles. The incidents have sparked a debate on the need for transparent and fair electoral processes to protect democratic rights.
