The political atmosphere in the country has intensified as opposition leaders have launched a coordinated attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Prominent figures, including Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and senior leader Digvijaya Singh, have accused Gyanesh Kumar of violating the Constitution and labeled him a threat to the nation's democracy. This wave of criticism follows a significant remark made by Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan regarding the SIR issue, which has provided fresh ammunition to the opposition's long-standing grievances against the Election Commission.
Jairam Ramesh Demands Immediate Resignation
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to social media to deliver a scathing critique of the CEC. He stated that following the observations made by Justice Bhuyan, Gyanesh Kumar should immediately step down from his position. Ramesh alleged that Gyanesh Kumar's tenure as the head of the Election Commission is proving detrimental to the country, while he argued that Justice Bhuyan's comments serve as proof that the CEC has overstepped constitutional boundaries. In his post, Ramesh mentioned that Justice Ujjal Bhuyan spoke candidly at NALSAR University in Hyderabad, effectively exposing the CEC's actions. He further remarked that if Gyanesh Kumar has any sense of shame or propriety, he should resign at once, adding that his capacity to implement the illegal orders of G2 has made him a burden on the nation.
Digvijaya Singh Challenges the Judiciary and CEC
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also joined the fray with a detailed social media post, while singh congratulated Justice Ujjal Bhuyan for raising the issue of citizens' rights to free and fair elections to save democracy in India. Addressing the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Singh remarked that at this stage of his career, there is nothing left to lose except perhaps post-retirement benefits. He expressed his readiness to face legal consequences, stating that if the Supreme Court finds him in contempt, he's prepared to go to jail. Singh highlighted his long political career, noting that he has been in public life since 1972 and has served as a member of state and central legislatures since 1977. While maintaining his respect for the judiciary, he claimed he had never witnessed such one-sided excesses against citizens' rights by the Election Commission. He directly addressed Gyanesh Kumar, telling him he should be ashamed and must resign, concluding that history would never forgive him.
Sagarika Ghose Slams Constitutional Violations
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose also reacted strongly to Justice Ujjal Bhuyan's remarks. She shared a post stating that if any process results in millions of Indian citizens being deprived of their rights and becoming second-class citizens in their own country, such a process is fundamentally arbitrary, while she emphasized that no amount of logic or excuses could justify such actions, as they strike at the very heart of the Constitution. Ghose further asserted that a Supreme Court judge has now clarified the CEC's wrongdoing and questioned whether the conscience of other top court judges would awaken against this grave injustice. She concluded by accusing Gyanesh Kumar of being a puppet of the Gujarati Jodi Number 1 and remaining shamelessly attached to his chair.
The Context of Justice Bhuyan's Remarks
The controversy stems from statements made by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan during an event at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad on Sunday, October 4. Justice Bhuyan emphasized that no arguments could justify the deprivation of the right to vote. He stated that the right to vote, granted under Article 326 of the Constitution, is sacrosanct and can't be tampered with. He further noted that any process that prevents millions of Indians from exercising their franchise is arbitrary and can't be validated by any excuse. According to Justice Bhuyan, such processes effectively negate the constitutional framework, a sentiment that has now become the focal point of the opposition's demand for the CEC's removal.