Kiren Rijiju launches a sharp attack on the opposition over SIR protests and allegations surrounding voter-list revision. (Images: X)
New Delhi: Kiren Rijiju has accused opposition parties of being part of a “larger conspiracy to weaken India as a nation” amid protests in Delhi and Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister alleged that opposition parties, following repeated electoral setbacks, were targeting democratic and constitutional institutions to create distrust among the public.
Rijiju claimed that the opposition had adopted a coordinated approach involving attacks on the judiciary, constitutional bodies and India’s democratic institutions. According to the minister, one section of the opposition was consistently questioning the judiciary and individual judges, while another was attempting to discredit institutions such as the Election Commission of India (ECI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He also alleged that another group was spreading what he described as fake news and negative narratives about India including abroad. Rijiju said these efforts were aimed at creating doubts about the functioning of important institutions and weakening public confidence in the country’s democratic system.
Reacting specifically to the SIR protests, Rijiju argued that genuine voters whose names have been removed from electoral rolls should approach the appropriate authorities and seek corrective action. “If you are a genuine voter and if your name has been deleted, you will write to the authorities, seek corrective measures that are available,” Rijiju said. He questioned the decision to protest against ECI without documentation or pursuing available mechanisms for correction. Rijiju alleged that such protests were being carried out according to a broader design and claimed that they had the backing of “anti-India elements abroad”.
Rijiju also alleged that sections of the opposition were attempting to undermine the credibility of constitutional and investigative institutions. He said repeated criticism of ECI and other agencies could lead people to question their work even when they take decisions in the public interest. The minister further claimed that some opposition-linked groups were questioning India’s economic data, democratic credentials and institutional functioning on international platforms.
He described these activities as part of a broader attempt to create fear, discontent and distrust among citizens particularly young people.
Rijiju also responded to criticism from the opposition over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with foreign dignitaries. While saying that Modi was not affected by such political ridicule, Rijiju said some members of the Union Cabinet were concerned about the conduct of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He described Gandhi’s approach as unbecoming of the constitutional position he occupies and argued that political criticism should not undermine the dignity of important constitutional offices.
The controversy surrounding SIR of electoral rolls has emerged as another major point of confrontation between the government and opposition parties. While opposition leaders have raised concerns over voter deletions and the functioning of ECI, the government has maintained that electoral roll revision is necessary to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Rijiju’s latest remarks have added a sharper political dimension to the dispute, with the minister linking the SIR protests to what he described as a wider campaign against India’s democratic and constitutional institutions.
