New Delhi [India], October 12 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss alleged ‘vote-chori’, the deletion of over 13 crore names from voter lists and the police crackdown on protesters demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh called for a special session of Parliament at the earliest to deliberate on vote-chori, reports of over 13 crore names being removed from voter lists, and the growing instances of police action, intimidation and detention of citizens exercising their democratic rights.
Sanjay Singh has stated, “The large-scale deletion of voters’ names in the name of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has raised serious concerns about the integrity, transparency and fairness of our electoral process. Allegations that names have been wrongly deleted on such a massive scale require clarification, accountability and extensive discussion in Parliament. Every eligible citizen must be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without fearing that they will be deprived of it.”
He added, “Peaceful protests against vote-chori in New Delhi have also called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Protesters have raised questions about the fairness of the electoral process, citing irregularities in the revision of voter lists. These concerns must be addressed transparently, and the Election Commission must be held accountable for maintaining its independence and ensuring free and fair elections.”
Sanjay Singh said it was equally concerning that incidents had been reported in which Members of Parliament, political leaders, party workers, journalists, lawyers, students and other protesters were detained, manhandled and subjected to excessive force. “Allegations that women protesters were forcibly dragged and mistreated, including instances of misconduct by male police personnel, were particularly serious and required accountability,” he noted.
The AAP MP stated that such incidents raised serious constitutional concerns, and asserted, “Article 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Peaceful protests and political dissent must not be suppressed through disproportionate use of force, arbitrary detention or blanket restrictions on public movement.”
He further stated, “The restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the protests are also deeply concerning. Before the demonstration demanding the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, entry and exit gates at 57 Delhi Metro stations were closed. Reports also highlighted widespread disruption to public transport and the detention of protesters. Such measures raise serious questions about the proportionality of these restrictions, the right to peaceful assembly and citizens’ freedom of movement in the national capital.”
The senior AAP leader added, “Reports of lawyers, including senior advocates and women lawyers, being detained near the Supreme Court premises and subjected to physical mistreatment further highlight the seriousness of these developments. The mistreatment of elected representatives, journalists, lawyers, students and political workers exercising their democratic rights requires an immediate investigation.”
Sanjay Singh said Parliament could not remain a silent spectator when the integrity of elections was being questioned and citizens exercising their constitutional rights were facing detention and the use of force. “The right to vote, the right to dissent and the right to peaceful protest were essential pillars of democracy,” he highlighted.
Sanjay Singh stated, “I therefore urge the government to convene a special session of Parliament without delay to discuss the following issues: allegations of vote chori and the deletion of 13 crore names from voter lists; the demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation and concerns regarding the Election Commission’s impartiality; police brutality and the detention of Members of Parliament, political leaders, party workers, journalists and members of the public; and the safeguards needed to prevent the mistreatment of women protesters.”
He continued, “The session should also discuss the hardship caused to the public by the closure of Metro stations and restrictions on peaceful assembly, as well as concrete measures to protect electoral integrity and democratic freedoms.”
Sanjay Singh concluded by saying, “These are issues of national importance and cannot be dismissed as matters of partisan disagreement. Parliament must provide a platform for extensive and meaningful discussion on these issues so that the government can respond to the legitimate questions raised and accountability can be ensured.” He therefore urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up this demand with the government and convene a special session of Parliament at the earliest to discuss these serious matters. (ANI)
AAP leader Sanjay Singh writes to PM Modi, demands Special Session of Parliament to discuss ‘Vote-Chori’
