New Delhi: 272 eminent citizens of the country have written a letter criticizing Rahul Gandhi. The authors include 16 judges, 123 retired bureaucrats (including 14 ambassadors), and 133 retired armed forces officers. In an open letter, they condemn the efforts of the Leader of the Opposition and the Congress Party to defame constitutional institutions like the Election Commission of India.
They wrote, “We, senior citizens of civil society, express deep concern that India’s democracy is being attacked not by force, but by a rising wave of toxic rhetoric against its foundational institutions. Some political leaders, instead of presenting real policy alternatives, are resorting to inflammatory but baseless allegations as part of their dramatic political strategy.”
Rahul Gandhi Threatens
The letter further states that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha has repeatedly attacked the Election Commission, claiming he has clear evidence that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft and claimed to have 100 percent proof. Using incredibly unruly rhetoric, he declared that what he has found is a nuclear bomb and that when it explodes, the Election Commission will have nowhere to hide. He also threatened that he will not spare anyone involved in this, from top to bottom, within the Election Commission. According to him, the Election Commission is committing treason.
It states that he (Rahul Gandhi) has publicly threatened to harass the Chief Election Commissioner/Election Commissioners if they retire. Yet, despite such vitriolic accusations, he has not filed a formal complaint with the prescribed affidavit, evading his accountability for making baseless accusations and intimidating public servants in the line of duty.
Election Commission called BJP’s B-team
In addition, several senior leaders from the Congress and other political parties, left-wing NGOs, ideologically determined scholars, and some attention-seekers from other walks of life have joined in the similar tirade against the SIR, even declaring that the Commission has descended to complete shamelessness by acting like the “BJP’s B-team.”
“Exercise Restraint in Accusations”
In this regard, former Uttar Pradesh DGP Vikram Singh told ANI, “I strongly object to the allegations about exporting hydrogen and nuclear bombs. We have full faith in our judiciary, the Election Commission, and the executive. Questioning the integrity of the Election Commission and saying that action will be taken against them even after retirement is completely wrong, and the opposition leader has no right to make such statements. Not just the country, but all of us are united, and that is why we have signed this letter. Please exercise restraint in your accusations, as they lack any substance or facts.”
‘Such behavior should not be condoned’
Former MP SN Dhingra says, “For some time now, opposition leaders have been regularly making baseless attacks on the Election Commission of India. They are protesting against the SIR. Only a person with a wrong mindset would protest against the SIR. Only terrorists use such language, using words like ‘bomb.’ We should neither condone nor tolerate such behavior by people holding constitutional positions.”
‘Attack on Constitutional Institutions’
Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid told ANI, “We want to tell our countrymen that opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and the Congress are attacking constitutional institutions. They also attacked the impartiality of the Indian Army and then the Supreme Court. If the Election Commission is conducting SIR, it is to ensure free and fair elections. Those who have fraudulently managed voting cards should not be allowed to vote in elections in India.”
He said, “Why should a Bangladeshi or Rohingya vote in an Indian election? Rahul Gandhi launched a malicious campaign targeting the Election Commission. He should play a constructive role. When you (Congress) were in power for 60 years, booth capturing and re-polls were commonplace… Why should Rahul Gandhi complain about the Election Commission conducting free and fair elections? He should look at his own past.”
