- 5 hours ago
Forty-two former judges and retired constitutional officeholders have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission of India amid growing opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The signatories backed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing legal provisions and Supreme Court safeguards, and warned that unsupported “vote theft” claims could erode public trust in elections. Meanwhile, opposition parties staged a dharna at Raj Ghat seeking Kumar’s resignation. Delhi Police also registered FIRs against opposition leaders and workers over Wednesday’s protests, citing alleged obstruction and assault of police personnel.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and a very warm welcome to an India Today special broadcast.
00:04I'm Gaurav Savant.
00:05The opposition's campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
00:10has drawn a stinging response from former judges and constitutional authorities.
00:16For example, 42 former judges and retired constitutional office holders
00:21have come out with an open letter
00:23saying that deeply concerned about this sustained campaign
00:27to undermine the Election Commission of India
00:29and other institutions in our country.
00:32And signatories to this open letter include
00:34former Supreme Court judges, former Chief Justices of High Court,
00:38retired constitutional office holders.
00:40One of them, Justice Lokpal Singh,
00:44a signatory to this letter, will join us shortly.
00:47But their message is unambiguous.
00:51Criticism of institutions is a democratic right
00:54but denigration is not.
00:57And they've specifically questioned the repeated allegations of vote jury
01:02saying such charges are being peddled or made at press conference
01:07rather than being backed by hard evidence before courts of law or the Election Commission.
01:14The former judges have defended this special intensive revision of the electoral rolls,
01:20the SIR process, as a legally established exercise designed to maintain clean and accurate voter lists.
01:29They point to Section 21 of the Representation of People Act 1950,
01:35which imparsed the Election Commission to revise electoral rolls.
01:39Something that's been done repeatedly in the past.
01:43They've argued that intensive revisions are not new.
01:46It's not being carried out for the first time.
01:48It's been carried out repeatedly since 1950.
01:51And the legal challenge to SIR, on the issue of legal challenge to SIR,
01:56former judges cite the Supreme Court's position
01:59that the exercise is within the Election Commission's powers,
02:03of course, subject to safeguards,
02:06including notice, opportunity to raise objections,
02:10and then, of course, the right to appeal.
02:12The signatories to this open letter,
02:14they say repeatedly telling citizens of India
02:18that their votes have been stolen
02:20or that elections in India cannot be trusted
02:23carries an inherent risk of eroding public faith in democracy.
02:29And they warn that if people lose faith in the ballot,
02:35political conflict can increasingly then move to the street,
02:40creating space for anarchy.
02:43or anarchic and fringe elements
02:46could then take the center stage.
02:50Even as there's growing criticism of the Congress-led dharna
02:53amongst these people who've signed this letter,
02:58there are also now allegations of harassment and assault.
03:01The Delhi Police has now registered FIRs
03:04against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi
03:07and Congress Party MP Priyanka Gandhi-Wadra
03:11and other Congress leaders and workers.
03:14There's a complaint assaulting police personnel on duty,
03:19obstructing them from performing their duties
03:22during Wednesday's protests.
03:23The BJP has made even more serious allegations,
03:27accusing Rahul Gandhi of misbehaving
03:30with a woman police constable
03:32and accusing Priyanka Gandhi-Wadra
03:34and accusing Priyanka Gandhi-Wadra
03:35of physically assaulting a policewoman.
03:38The BJP is asking the Gandhis,
03:40is this how you smash patriarchy?
03:44Today, the Congress and the opposition
03:46took their protests against C.C. Gyanesh Kumar
03:49to Raj Ghan.
03:51After being denied permission to take their march
03:53to the Election Commission headquarters
03:54and then to Jantar Mantar,
03:55both on Tuesday and on Wednesday,
03:58the street protest.
04:00Rahul Gandhi, he's calling it his satyagraha
04:03or, as the BJP claims,
04:06a bid to create anarchy.
04:09We'll get you much more.
04:10We'll get you all sides of this debate,
04:12but first, we'll get you this report
04:14on the day's developments by a political bureau.
04:24The India bloc has taken its fight
04:26against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
04:29to a whole different level.
04:34First, a march towards the Election Commission
04:36blocked and detained midway.
04:40Then, a dharna towards Jantar Mantar
04:43blocked and detained midway again.
04:47But today, at the third attempt,
04:50this succeeded.
04:51Led by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi,
04:53thousands of Congress workers
04:54and opposition leaders
04:55took their protests
04:56to Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site
04:58of Raj Ghat.
05:00They stayed there for about half an hour,
05:02paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi
05:04and left saying that they would return
05:06to the streets tomorrow.
05:27Day three was comparatively peaceful.
05:31But before that,
05:32the opposition followed yesterday's temperate,
05:34a lunch at Ghanot Place
05:35to brainstorm and strategize.
05:37Their demand remained the same.
05:39Gyanesh Kumar must resign.
06:07And the next move,
06:09a meeting with President Rupadi Murthy.
06:12We're going to go to the next meeting.
06:14We're going to go.
06:14We'll have to ask what's going on in the next meeting.
06:16The president's name is the President.
06:18The President's name is the Indian Alliance.
06:21Everyone will be the same.
06:24But not everyone is on board
06:26with the opposition's campaign.
06:27A group of former judges
06:29and retired constitutional office holders
06:30has written an open letter
06:32condemning what they describe
06:34as the character assassination
06:35of the Election Commission.
06:37The former judges say
06:38constitutional bodies
06:39are under sustained attack
06:40with the Election Commission
06:42at the center of it.
06:43They allege the campaign
06:44is calculated,
06:45driven by vested political interests
06:47and being conducted without evidence.
06:49They point to repeated allegations
06:51of vote theft
06:52and questions over EVMs,
06:54arguing the machines are blamed
06:55only after an electoral defeat.
06:58Their message to the opposition is clear.
07:00Contest elections
07:01but do not delegitimize them.
07:03They stress that constitutional bodies
07:05belong neither to governments
07:06nor political parties
07:07but to the people of India.
07:10On SIR,
07:11they question the timing
07:12of the opposition campaign,
07:13saying the uproar
07:14appears to be remarkably convenient.
07:16They point out
07:17that the legal framework
07:18for intensive electoral roll revision
07:20dates back to 1950,
07:22with such exercises
07:23being carried out repeatedly.
07:25And on the legal challenge,
07:26they cite the Supreme Court's decision,
07:28upholding SIR
07:29as lawful
07:29and within the Election Commission's powers.
07:32The BJP has once again
07:34pit out at Rahul Gandhi
07:35and the opposition,
07:36accusing them of engaging
07:37in hooliganism
07:38and anarchy
07:39in the name of protest.
08:04The flashpoint is no longer restricted
08:06to the protests
08:07and dhannas.
08:08Rahul Gandhi
08:09and the Congress party
08:10are also facing allegations
08:11of harassing
08:12and assaulting police personnel
08:13on duty.
08:15NFIR has been filed
08:16over allegations
08:17of obstructing police work
08:19and manhandling police personnel.
08:32So is the opposition
08:33really fighting
08:34to save democracy
08:35or is it a political campaign
08:36to damage the very institutions
08:38that keep democracy running?
08:39We are a report
08:40India Today.
08:43I'll get you much more
08:45on this story.
08:46If police personnel
08:47are now in tears,
08:48what message
08:50does this send out?
08:51Is this an attempt
08:52to bring anarchy?
08:54We will discuss that.
08:55We will debate that.
08:56But first,
08:57on that letter
08:58that's been written
08:59by 42 judges
09:01and others
09:02concerned citizens of India,
09:04I want to quickly
09:05bring into this conversation
09:06Justice Lokpal Singh,
09:09former Uttarakhand
09:11High Court judge
09:12and one of the signatories,
09:13Justice Lokpal Singh.
09:15Welcome, sir.
09:16Sir, what made you
09:18write this letter, sir?
09:20You and 41 other judges
09:22have said that
09:22silence is no longer
09:24a neutral choice.
09:26Sir, what specific developments
09:29convinced you
09:30to reach out
09:32in the open
09:33and intervene?
09:35Yes.
09:36So far,
09:37this silence is concerned.
09:39If we will give silence,
09:41then certainly
09:42we will promote
09:43the anarchy
09:44in this country.
09:45We have,
09:47we are the
09:48citizens of this country.
09:50We are careful.
09:51We are
09:54responsible
09:55to keep the harmony
09:56in the country.
09:57But the
09:58Congress
09:59lead party
10:00and CJP,
10:01they are threatening
10:02to the
10:03Chief Election Commission
10:04of India
10:05and they are
10:06raising the issues.
10:07But they are not
10:08raising the issues
10:09before the
10:09Honorable Supreme Court.
10:10they are taking
10:11the benefit
10:13that the
10:14Honorable
10:15Chief Justice
10:15of India
10:16has said
10:18that the
10:19Supreme Court
10:20has not permitted
10:21any amendment
10:22in the
10:24Form 6.
10:25Now,
10:26the matter is
10:26to the
10:27subjects
10:28before the
10:28Supreme Court.
10:29The Supreme Court
10:29has issued
10:30the notice
10:30to the Election
10:31Commission
10:32of India
10:32to seek
10:33its stand.
10:35Then,
10:36thereafter,
10:37the Supreme Court
10:37will decide
10:38the matter.
10:39Now,
10:39raising the issue
10:41on the
10:41wrong
10:42is not
10:43appropriate.
10:44This Congress
10:44and the
10:45CJP,
10:46they are
10:46taking
10:47dharna
10:48in the
10:48streets.
10:50All the
10:50citizens
10:51of the
10:51Delhi...
10:53Why not,
10:53sir?
10:54Isn't that
10:54a democratic
10:55legitimate
10:56right of
10:57the opposition
10:58to protest
10:59on the streets
11:00and raise
11:01awareness?
11:02Because your
11:02letter says
11:03criticism of
11:04institutions
11:05is a
11:05democratic
11:06right,
11:06denigration
11:07is not.
11:09How do
11:09you see
11:09this not
11:10as
11:10criticism
11:11but as
11:11denigration
11:12of the
11:13Election
11:13Commission
11:14of India?
11:17Criticism
11:18can be
11:19by inviting
11:20the press
11:22conference,
11:23it can be
11:24by raising
11:24the issue
11:25before the
11:25Honorable
11:26Supreme Court,
11:27but it
11:28cannot be
11:28on the
11:29streets
11:29to jam
11:30the streets
11:31to occupy
11:32illegally
11:32the building
11:34of the
11:34Doordarshan
11:35and the
11:36Akaswani
11:37and to
11:38protest in
11:39the office
11:39of the
11:40Chief
11:41Election
11:41Commission
11:42of India
11:42and without
11:44there being
11:45any permission
11:45and they
11:46have blocked
11:47the road.
11:48There is no
11:48permission
11:49short from
11:49the police.
11:50So how
11:51this can be
11:52permitted in
11:53the civilized
11:54society?
11:58But sir,
12:00you know,
12:00the opposition
12:00says this
12:02is a
12:02legitimate
12:03right.
12:04Mahatma Gandhi
12:04believed in
12:05Satyagraha.
12:06They are,
12:07this is
12:08Ahinsa and
12:09Satyagraha
12:10according to
12:11the opposition.
12:12Of course,
12:13are you
12:13indicating,
12:15you know,
12:15or referring
12:16to the
12:18grammar of
12:19anarchy
12:19that,
12:20you know,
12:22Baba Sahib
12:22Bhimrao Ambedkar
12:23referred to,
12:24that once you
12:24have a
12:24constitution,
12:25there shouldn't
12:26be anarchy
12:26on the streets,
12:27no room
12:28for Satyagraha.
12:29Where do
12:29you stand
12:30on this,
12:30sir?
12:32Satyagraha
12:33and Ahinsa,
12:35they can do
12:36it, but
12:37they cannot
12:37be permitted
12:38to work
12:39in this way.
12:41They are
12:41targeting the
12:42police,
12:43they are
12:43targeting the
12:44local
12:45persons,
12:46and they
12:47have captured
12:48the offices
12:49and they
12:49have blocked
12:50the roads.
12:51Whether it
12:52can be
12:52considered
12:53as a
12:55peaceful
12:55demonstration,
12:57I would
12:57say that
12:58it is not
12:59a peaceful
13:00demonstration
13:00or Ahinsa
13:03demonstration.
13:05Definitely
13:06they are
13:07threatening
13:07to the
13:08people of
13:09this country.
13:10There is
13:10a threat
13:10to the
13:11constitutional
13:12authorities.
13:12There is
13:13a direct
13:13threat
13:14that if
13:14they will
13:15come in
13:15the power,
13:16they will
13:16take
13:16recourse
13:17from P.M.
13:21Modi,
13:21Gyanesh Kumar,
13:23Amit
13:23Sarai and
13:24Mohan Bhagwat,
13:26what type
13:26of threat
13:28they are
13:28giving,
13:29what message
13:30they are
13:31giving to
13:31the society
13:33that they
13:34will take
13:34the revenge
13:35from these
13:35persons?
13:40Sir, you
13:41strongly
13:42defended the
13:43process of
13:44the SIR.
13:47Yes.
13:48They have
13:48right to
13:49protest, but
13:49this is not
13:50the way of
13:51protesting.
13:51Election
13:52Commission
13:53of India
13:53since 2025
13:56is doing
13:57its job
13:57carefully to
13:59ensure that
14:00every eligible
14:01citizen is
14:02to be
14:02included in
14:04the voter
14:05list.
14:06And those
14:07who, the
14:08duplication is
14:09there, so
14:10many persons
14:11who have
14:12shifted to
14:13one place
14:13to another
14:14place, their
14:15names are
14:15existing in
14:16the electoral
14:17world.
14:18Their names
14:18should be
14:19deleted from
14:21one place
14:22and they
14:23should be
14:23implanted in
14:24another place,
14:25but it
14:26cannot be
14:26permitted to
14:29three places
14:30or three
14:30places.
14:33Okay.
14:34Sir, but
14:35tell me this,
14:36the opposition
14:36repeatedly raises
14:38two points.
14:39One, the
14:40figure of
14:4013 crore,
14:4113 crore
14:42people,
14:43according to
14:44the opposition,
14:44have been
14:45disenfranchised.
14:46That's point
14:46one, point
14:47two.
14:47They point
14:48to what you
14:48also referred
14:49to, just
14:51saying, to
14:51the Supreme
14:52Court order
14:53that raised
14:55the issue
14:55about not
14:56giving clearance
14:57to modification
14:58of Form
14:596.
14:59But, sir,
15:00aren't these
15:01legitimate
15:02questions that
15:03the opposition
15:03is raising?
15:08Where is
15:09the evidence
15:10of that 13
15:11crore people
15:12have been,
15:13the name of
15:1313 crore
15:16waters have
15:17been deleted?
15:18now the
15:19Form 6
15:19is concerned.
15:20Where is
15:21the proof
15:22that there
15:22is a change
15:23in the
15:23Form 6?
15:25They raise
15:26the plea
15:26that they
15:27have added
15:27an excerpt
15:29with the
15:30Form 6.
15:31The Supreme
15:31Court has
15:32called upon
15:32the response
15:34from the
15:34Chief Election
15:36Commission
15:36of India
15:36and the
15:38allegations
15:38that there
15:39is no
15:40unanimity
15:41between the
15:41members of
15:42the Chief
15:43Election
15:43Commission
15:43of India.
15:44The Election
15:45Commission
15:45of India
15:46all three
15:46members
15:47have called
15:48the press
15:50conference
15:50and they
15:51said that
15:52the decision
15:53has been
15:53taken
15:54unanimously.
15:55So all
15:56fake narratives
15:57are being
15:58prepared.
15:59They are
16:00resting on
16:02their claims
16:02on the
16:03fake narratives
16:03which is not
16:05permissible.
16:05They are
16:06miscarrying
16:06the people
16:07of this
16:08country.
16:08This is a
16:09misreading
16:10statement.
16:12but sir
16:14how would
16:14you respond
16:15to a
16:16brother judge
16:16Justice
16:17Ujwal
16:18Bhuyan
16:18who has
16:20warned that
16:20any process
16:21that results
16:21in wholesale
16:23disenfranchisement
16:24could violate
16:25Article 14
16:26and Article
16:26326 and
16:27Justice
16:28Rohington
16:28Nareman
16:29he has
16:30been quoted
16:31as using
16:32words to
16:33the effect
16:33that the
16:34right of
16:34vote is
16:36currently at
16:37great peril
16:38of words
16:39to that
16:39effect.
16:40So how
16:40do you
16:41reconcile
16:41those
16:42concerns
16:42with your
16:43letter or
16:44the letter
16:45that has
16:45been signed
16:46by 42
16:46concerned
16:47citizens on
16:48the current
16:48electoral
16:50reforms or
16:51SIR
16:52process sir?
16:55I would
16:56say that
16:57there is no
16:58basis with
16:59the Justice
17:00Nareman that
17:01how many
17:02persons have
17:03been deleted
17:03illegally.
17:04So I
17:05would again
17:06say that
17:07I am
17:09saying with
17:10responsibility
17:10that those
17:12names have
17:12been deleted
17:13they have
17:13been deleted
17:14properly and
17:15if those
17:16persons
17:17their name
17:18have been
17:18deleted from
17:19the voter
17:20list they
17:20have every
17:21right to
17:21file the
17:22appeal they
17:23have every
17:23right to
17:24request to
17:24the Election
17:25Commission
17:25of India
17:26that they
17:27are the
17:27citizens of
17:28this country
17:28they have a
17:29right to
17:29include in
17:30the voter
17:30list they
17:31may submit
17:33their form
17:33they may
17:34raise the
17:35issue but
17:37such a
17:37type of
17:39statements
17:40that 13
17:41crores people
17:41have been
17:42deleted from
17:43the voter
17:43list is
17:44not proper
17:45I think
17:46so.
17:49Justice
17:50Lokpal
17:50Singh before
17:51I let you
17:51go sir
17:52just one
17:53more question
17:54in case the
17:55opposition has
17:56serious
17:57grievances and
17:58they say let
17:59us protest at
17:59Jantar Mantar
18:00Rahul Gandhi
18:01is leader of
18:02opposition he
18:03says I am
18:04not permitted to
18:05protest at
18:05Jantar Mantar
18:06I am not
18:06permitted to
18:08protest in
18:08Cannot place
18:09tell me a
18:10place I will
18:11go there and
18:11protest sir and
18:12if leader of
18:13opposition and
18:14other members of
18:15parliament are
18:16seeking access to
18:17the chief election
18:18commissioner for
18:19a cup of tea
18:20sir is protocol
18:21more important
18:22or is just
18:23inviting them
18:24having a cup of
18:25tea with them
18:26hearing them out
18:27trying to diffuse
18:28the situation
18:28wouldn't that be a
18:30better option in
18:31your appreciation
18:32sir
18:35my reply to
18:36this is that
18:37if the
18:39leader of
18:40opposition make
18:41a request to
18:42the chief election
18:42commissioner of
18:43India that we
18:44have the grievance
18:45we wish to
18:45talk to you
18:46we have a
18:47representation
18:48he may seek
18:49time from the
18:50election commission
18:50of India
18:51he may raise
18:52this issue before
18:52the election
18:53commission of
18:53India and
18:54submit a
18:56representation
18:56but by
18:58taking the
19:01240 MPs
19:03with the
19:03and all
19:04some followers
19:05to attack on
19:06the office of
19:08the election
19:08commission of
19:09India is not
19:10permissible
19:10there he has
19:12not taken any
19:12permission to
19:13meet with the
19:14election commission
19:14of India
19:15and no one
19:17should be
19:17permitted to
19:17enter in the
19:18office of the
19:19constitutional
19:19authority without
19:20prior appointment
19:21this is my
19:22concern
19:23if he has any
19:24grammars he can
19:25seek the
19:26permission from
19:27election commission
19:28of India
19:28to submit
19:29his representation
19:31so far
19:34agitation at
19:35Jantar Mantra
19:35is concerned
19:36what is the
19:37planning
19:38where is the
19:40letter to
19:40the government
19:41yes we want
19:42to demonstrate
19:43our protestors
19:46process
19:46and for
19:47how long
19:48they have
19:49decided to
19:50protest
19:50at the
19:51Jantar Mantra
19:52but everything
19:53should be
19:53clear
19:56it has to
19:57be done in a
19:58transparent manner
19:59is what you
20:00say in fact in
20:01that appeal
20:01there is also
20:02an appeal to
20:04the election
20:05commission and
20:05to constitutional
20:06authorities to
20:07stand firm
20:09and to remain
20:10transparent
20:11Justice Lokpal
20:12Singh for
20:12joining me here
20:13on India
20:14today sir
20:15many thanks
20:15I now want
20:17to throw this
20:17open for a
20:18wider discussion
20:20and a political
20:20discussion
20:21RP Singh
20:22national spokesperson
20:23of the BJP
20:24and Adil Singh
20:24Boparai
20:25national spokesperson
20:26of the
20:27congress party
20:28join me on
20:29this broadcast
20:30Adil Singh
20:31Boparai
20:32the congress
20:33party is being
20:34accused now
20:36of trying to
20:37spread anarchy
20:38on the streets
20:39of our country
20:41if there are
20:41issues with the
20:42election commission
20:43make a request
20:44to the election
20:45commission
20:45follow the
20:46protocol
20:46meet them
20:47is what the
20:49election commission
20:49said and is
20:51what signatories
20:51to this letter
20:52are saying
20:53sir
20:54the BJP
20:56can churn out
20:57as many letters
20:58as they want
20:58to
21:00Gyanesh Gupta
21:01has to go
21:02he has to
21:03tender his
21:04resignation
21:06and if he
21:07doesn't the
21:07people of this
21:08country will
21:08compel him to
21:09resign
21:10and the
21:11congress party
21:12on returning
21:12to power
21:13will prosecute
21:14him for all
21:15acts of
21:16illegality
21:17which he's
21:17committed
21:18in his
21:19capacity as
21:20chief election
21:20commissioner
21:21point number
21:22one
21:22point number
21:23two with
21:24respect and
21:25humility
21:26mr.
21:27Singh
21:27was ill
21:28informed
21:29nobody has
21:30attacked the
21:31ECI
21:33it is the
21:34Delhi police
21:35which has put
21:35barricades
21:36it is the
21:37Delhi police
21:38which is
21:38restricted
21:38movement
21:39we wanted
21:40to go to
21:41Jantar Mantar
21:41and protest
21:42which is our
21:43right under
21:43article 19
21:44point number
21:45two
21:45point number
21:46three
21:47the BJP
21:49and their
21:49ardent
21:49supporters
21:50are missing
21:50the woods
21:51for the
21:51trees
21:52this is not
21:53a congress
21:54manufactured
21:55controversy
21:57the bugle
21:58has been
21:59sounded
21:59from within
22:00the ECI
22:02two election
22:03commissioners
22:04have said
22:04that the
22:05actions of
22:05Gyanesh Gupta
22:06are unauthorized
22:07and illegal
22:08till date
22:09Gyanesh Gupta
22:10has not come
22:11out or addressed
22:12a press conference
22:13defending his
22:15actions
22:15number
22:16three
22:16number
22:17four
22:17let me
22:17just give
22:18a statistic
22:18let's take
22:20the case
22:20of Bengal
22:21for example
22:2290 lakh
22:24voters were
22:24deleted in
22:25the SIR
22:26process
22:26out of
22:28these 90
22:28lakh
22:28people
22:29Gaurav
22:2922 lakh
22:30people
22:30filed
22:31appeals
22:31before
22:31the
22:32tribunals
22:32constituted
22:33by the
22:33Supreme
22:34Court
22:34headed
22:34by
22:35retired
22:35judges
22:36out of
22:37these
22:3722
22:38lakh
22:38appeals
22:381
22:39lakh
22:39appeals
22:40have
22:40so far
22:41been
22:41adjudicated
22:42and
22:42decided
22:42and
22:43please
22:44hear this
22:44carefully
22:45out of
22:46these
22:461 lakh
22:47decided
22:48appeals
22:4893%
22:50of the
22:51appeals
22:52have
22:52restored
22:53the
22:53names
22:54of
22:54the
22:54voters
22:55in
22:56other
22:56words
22:57the
22:57deletion
22:58has been
22:58found to
22:59be
22:59illegal
22:59and
23:00incorrect
23:00this is
23:01a staggering
23:01number
23:02let's
23:03take off
23:04our
23:04political
23:06vices
23:07for a
23:07moment
23:07this data
23:08is
23:09staggering
23:09number
23:10you've
23:10raised
23:10some
23:11pertinent
23:11points
23:12let me
23:12get
23:12let me
23:13get
23:13let me
23:14get
23:14rp singh
23:15to respond
23:15to that
23:16rp singh
23:17it's a
23:17staggering
23:18number
23:18that
23:19that
23:20adil singh
23:20boparai
23:21raises
23:21and he's
23:22saying that
23:23gyanesh
23:24kumar
23:24will have
23:26to go
23:26when the
23:27congress
23:27comes to
23:28power
23:28and he
23:29will be
23:30prosecuted
23:30respond
23:31to the
23:32three points
23:32that adil
23:33singh boparai
23:34has made
23:37sir
23:38well
23:39there's a
23:40saying in
23:40hindi
23:41so they
23:42can keep
23:43dreaming
23:43daydreaming
23:44what they
23:44want to
23:44dream of
23:45but fact
23:46is that
23:46they are
23:47not following
23:47the procedures
23:48neither for
23:49the meeting
23:50neither for
23:51the election
23:51commissioner
23:52i mean
23:52you can't
23:53just say
23:53that i'm
23:54the king
23:55and i'm
23:55the commander
23:56that's my
23:57way or
23:57highway
23:57whatever i
23:58decide
23:58it has
23:58to be
23:59decided
23:59it has
24:00to go
24:00the way
24:00i decide
24:01it doesn't
24:02happen
24:02that way
24:02especially
24:03ajal singh
24:04boparai is
24:04a very
24:05learned
24:05person
24:06and a
24:06learned
24:07lawyer
24:07also
24:08he just
24:08mentioned
24:09that two
24:09ecs have
24:10put some
24:11note of
24:11dissent
24:12mr boparai
24:12do you have
24:13any evidence
24:13on that
24:14record
24:15before you
24:15say that
24:16you must
24:16have paper
24:17a document
24:17on that
24:18record
24:18just a
24:18newspaper
24:19report
24:19doesn't
24:19give a
24:20go ahead
24:21to say
24:22what you
24:22want to
24:22say
24:22about
24:23someone
24:24saying
24:24that
24:25okay
24:25there's
24:26a vote
24:27of
24:27dissent
24:27and also
24:29you went
24:30to supreme
24:30court
24:30supreme
24:31court
24:31heard
24:32you
24:32the
24:32person
24:33said
24:33that
24:34election
24:34commission
24:35should
24:35be
24:35suspended
24:35immediately
24:36but
24:37supreme
24:38court
24:38didn't
24:38adhere
24:39to
24:39you
24:40and
24:40to
24:41this
24:41extent
24:41that
24:41if
24:41you
24:42don't
24:42do it
24:42the
24:42country
24:43will
24:43burn
24:43there's
24:44a game
24:44plan
24:44which is
24:45happening
24:47and
24:48there's
24:48a
24:48very
24:49thought
24:49of
24:49game
24:50plan
24:50which
24:51is
24:51happening
24:51and
24:51there's
24:52another
24:52thing
24:52is
24:52there's
24:53a
24:53political
24:53angle
24:53to
24:53it
24:53that
24:54there's
24:54a
24:54one-man
24:55upship
24:56game
24:56which is
24:56happening
24:57within
24:57the
24:57congress
24:58and
24:58the
24:58other
24:58opposition
24:59parties
25:00and
25:00there's
25:00a
25:01one-man
25:01upship
25:01game
25:02which
25:02has
25:02happened
25:02between
25:02the
25:03Congress
25:03also
25:06so
25:06because
25:06earlier
25:08CJP
25:09took away
25:10their
25:10issue
25:10they said
25:11it was
25:12my
25:12issue
25:12and
25:12CJP
25:13took
25:14away
25:14my
25:14issue
25:15and
25:15took
25:15the
25:15limelight
25:16from
25:16me
25:16now
25:17it
25:17is
25:17my
25:17turn
25:18and
25:18again
25:19CJP
25:19has
25:19issued
25:21some
25:21notice
25:22that
25:22they
25:22want
25:22to
25:22hold
25:23a
25:23protest
25:23here
25:23on
25:2310th
25:24of
25:24this
25:24month
25:24so
25:25this
25:25will
25:25continue
25:26for
25:26another
25:262-3
25:26days
25:30whether
25:30Refugee
25:30Deepke
25:31or
25:31Rahul
25:31Gandhi
25:32so
25:32there's
25:32contest
25:33let them
25:33do
25:33that
25:33it's
25:34a
25:34healthy
25:34thing
25:34but
25:34either
25:35ways
25:35the
25:35government
25:36should
25:36be
25:36very
25:36concerned
25:37whether
25:38it
25:38is
25:38Deepke
25:39or Rahul
25:39Gandhi
25:39or
25:40others
25:40can I
25:41get
25:41another
25:41second
25:46please
25:46I'll
25:46appreciate
25:47another
25:48second
25:49Mr. Rahul
25:50Gandhi
26:00there was
26:01security
26:01guard
26:01there
26:01he
26:02said
26:02Surakshah
26:03Karmi
26:03sir
26:03under
26:03he
26:04said
26:04Surakshah
26:05Karmi
26:05is
26:05saying
26:05that
26:06God
26:06is
26:06Rahul
26:07Gandhi
26:07what
26:07chori
26:08rokan
26:08and
26:08the
26:08guard
26:10you
26:10have to
26:11work
26:11in
26:12the
26:12country
26:12and
26:13other
26:15two
26:16lines
26:16Rahul
26:17Gandhi
26:17I'm
26:18doing
26:18your
26:20God
26:21sir
26:22we
26:22didn't
26:23have to
26:23you
26:23have to
26:24keep
26:25name
26:26and
26:27the
26:27country
26:27okay
26:28okay so this is even a common guard understand i i won't okay so i want to get adil singh
26:34boparai
26:34i want to get adil singh boparai to respond to what you're saying because adil has a big smile
26:39on your face sir how would you respond to those who are saying including uh you know the bjp
26:44that the attempt is to spread anarchy if you have any issues you take them to a court of law
26:51with evidence and courts of law will decide bjp claims rahul gandhi is not the king or a monarch
26:59he will not decide it is the voters who will decide sir what if i have the greatest of respect
27:06for
27:06abhi singh ji and perhaps had he been home minister of this country the situation would not have
27:11precipitated to the extent that it has number one number two if yearning for democracy if struggle
27:19for justice if seeking accountability is anarchy then so be it then so be it
27:29we are not concerned with what the bjp say or what their proxies say this is a struggle for justice
27:36because gyanesh gupta in conspiracy with the prime minister and the home minister has played a fraud
27:44on the people of this country point number two point number three since proof sir that will have
27:49to be proven sir will that not have to be proven in a court of law or just because rahul
27:57gandhi says it
27:58it becomes the law for example even the figures that you present in bengal when you say of 90 lakhs
28:0522 lakhs uh came uh represented 21 lakhs of that have been found to be true or words to that
28:12effect
28:12what about the remaining 70 lakhs sir let me let me respond you'll have to give me 90 seconds
28:18given that gyanesh gupta is in league is in league with mr modi and amit shah in this criminal
28:24enterprise hence the bjp government pushed a statutory provision providing for lifelong immunity for
28:32election commissioners it is our commitment to the people of this country that we will repeal that
28:37provision the supreme court may very well strike it down as being illegal but regardless on returning
28:44to power we will repeal that provision and we will prosecute mr gyanesh gupta in accordance with law
28:49number two number three since since proof was being sought from us the eci issued a press note
28:57after the indian express story they issued a press note what did that press note say we are reverting
29:03back to form six so what does that mean why are you reverting back to form six because form six
29:10was
29:10changed hence we are reverting back to form six number three the supreme court gets oral observation
29:18has categorically stated that we have not approved any modification of form six so therefore gyanesh gupta's
29:25lie was caught and finally gaurav i put myself for a moment let's consider this let's test this as a
29:31hypothesis
29:32if i was gyanesh gupta and if serious allegations of fraud and illegality were leveled on me and i knew
29:40those
29:40allegations to be false i would have filed a defamation suit against indian express i would have stepped out
29:46held a press conference and negated all those allegations has gyanesh gupta done any of this no
29:53because he knows he knows he knows he's in the wrong and like i said earlier this rupture is from
30:00within the eci and we will take it towards logical conclusion that's a very pertinent point you raise
30:06very pertinent point you raise if it's not factually correct why is it not being rebutted uh we we will
30:14wait and see what is the ec's response in the supreme court of india in writing on affidavit and not
30:21oral observations point one but okay rp singh you wanted to respond uh to to the point on form six
30:27go
30:27ahead sir well very very very very very small uh he's talking about form six i'm going to the
30:35complete president of the election commission there's not a reference about form six yes they
30:39have allowed form six to be applicable for where as i have been conducted now no form six there is
30:44a
30:44form six which means no form six has been changed only as per the supreme court order under
30:49para number 152 of the supreme court order which said they said the commission therefore retains a
30:54degree of residual authority to formulate a prepared documentation this is the supreme court order
30:58earlier order and again uh supreme court never said they they said that they never said they they
31:04didn't wanted to change form six but they never said that uh that the new new appendix can't be added
31:09to it and also oh why can't you wait for supreme court final order and again on on on as
31:15for
31:15defamation sir naveen chavala didn't put a defamation course uh case against mr gopal swami who said
31:22that mr naveen chavala goes to lou and call up mr sonia gandhi and tells everything was happening in
31:26supreme uh in the election commission so babus don't go to uh for defamation cases
31:3130 seconds 30 seconds you know to quote
31:34okay 30 seconds to quote justice buyan no amount of water boundary can justify mass deletions
31:43what rp singhji is indulging in is water boundary point number one point number two it appears that
31:50rp singhji has been misinformed on mass deletion five seconds for mass deletion rp singhji kindly
31:56once he completes his point sir let him complete his point please understand form six what the bjp
32:03what the eci and the bjp has done is that it has added a declaration to form six the field
32:09says
32:09that first time voters must indicate whether their parents or grandparents were part of the previous
32:15sirs now the answer to this is that when you add an additional qualification even if that is in the
32:22nature of a declaration you are making it onerous for first time voters to have themselves enrolled
32:27so the conspiracy of mr modi mr shah gupta was that since the youth is against the bjp
32:34let us filter first time voters this was a conspiracy against the youth of this country
32:43fair enough respond respond rp is saying because that's a serious charge that's being leveled
32:50well respond sir well all being manufactured i mean they can then they can manufacture the issue
32:56they can manufacture stories but fact is that out of 13 crores they are talking about 2.8 crores are
33:00dead 3 crores are not traceable 6.3 crores are shifted 1 crore are multiple enrollments i i remember
33:06uh uh the sanjay singh's wife had a vote from sultanpur and dili both obviously she can't be voted for
33:12two places similarly my son was also questioned under under sir because my name is full name is ravinder paal
33:18singh and my otherwise uh name is rp singh popular name is rp singh okay so we were called by
33:23the
33:23election commission in the cemetery of document and why are they okay
33:55the people of this country will compel him to decide
33:59the people of this country will
34:03uh
34:13uh
34:14gentlemen gentlemen elections in punjab very soon and we'll have both of you uh battling it out uh even in
34:22in in punjabi and in punjab in times to come but rp singh and adil singh boparai many thanks for
34:27joining
34:27me on this part of india first i quickly want to cut across to former chief election commissioner
34:32dr s y khoreshi joining me on this topic dr khoreshi welcome dr khoreshi you've been cec of
34:39india tell me this rahul gandhi believes democracy is dead he's blamed the prime minister the home
34:45minister rss chief mohan bhagwat and gyanesh kumar sir this is happening just when you saw by elections
34:53for example nandhi gram saw more than 71 percent voter turnout uh reji nagar saw more than 70 percent
34:59voter turnout sir is democracy dead in your view sir
35:09well i would rather not comment on a politician or politic but the fact is that democracy has been
35:15uh gravely damaged by the for the weather events of the last two years the way the sir has been
35:24done and uh 13 crore people have been eliminated very responsibly and we thought there was no choice
35:33left but fortunately indian express expose brought the the truth to light and it has revived our hopes in democracy
35:43people have the way people are responded uh have are responding the media sir you've been
35:49sir you've been former chief election commissioner you know i want to understand from you i want to
35:54understand from you sir 13 crore the figure that is being put of 13 crore the 13 crore names uh
36:01have
36:01been disenfranchised sir the ec is saying of that 2.8 crore are dead 6.3 crore relocated 1 crore
36:08are duplicate
36:09names 3 crore are absent uh uh and not traceable or words to that effect sir sir you've been cc
36:16are these
36:17numbers contested are these numbers untrue yes sure no first of all let me make it very clear that for
36:28the last 75 years we have been doing exactly all that removing the dead voters every single dead voter
36:35should be removed and in the last 75 years we have been trying to do that but still
36:41some people are always found there secondly the migrants yes remove the migrants no doubt but show
36:49them elsewhere what is happening here everybody is migrating from everywhere but nobody there is no in
36:54in migration where are they landing up so you delete me here but you delete include me somewhere else
37:01here we don't see any inclusion happening anywhere everywhere deletion from bihar and up one can
37:08understand people have gone in search of job and they've come to delhi but where are delhi people
37:14going and where are bangalore people going everybody is going so what the hell is happening so therefore
37:21the the in the name of migrants delete everybody uh duplicate certainly corrected we have been trying to
37:30do it with limited success all these years and remove the dead voters no doubt but all others have
37:36to be just corrections which need to be done sir okay okay sir but explain this names have been deleted
37:44names have also been added of voters in different parts of the country so just look at the figures
37:50because since you've been cec you understand how the system works coming to this figure of 2.8 crore
37:56dead or 6.3 crore relocated uh what are these numbers what were these numbers in the past for
38:04example in in the previous sirs or or the 2003 sir or the regular revision of electoral rolls were these
38:12similar numbers or is it drastic this time
38:17uh well uh sir actually sir happened only the 2002 and three is last but in it is important to
38:26remember that after 2003 sir the then election commission who were also wise people they took
38:34a decision that there is no need for sir 9 future sir in any case was not the word in
38:39the law or the
38:40constitution anywhere intensive revision there is no need because now the rules have been computerized
38:46and we now have got a servant permanently on a computer s by correlation the computer
38:51all we will do we'll do summary revision which involves that somebody yellow will come to your
38:56house and show gaurav these are the three four voters in your house these are the details is that
39:01right so if they're right he goes uh to the neck door one question could have been now since the
39:07whole exercise is started in the name of ghuzbatia one question could have been added to the for the
39:13blo okay when you go to gaurav saavans house of kurash's house ask them one more question have you seen
39:19a stranger in your neighborhood a new face in the last one year which could be a potential ghuzbatia so
39:26if somebody says yes that gets flagged and then you can go and investigate who is this guy for the
39:32last
39:32six months so this was the way this is what we have been doing now two a year they are
39:37saying oh
39:38dead water should not be removed you know but what is the guarantee that every person shown is dead
39:44voter is a dead voter uh people have appeared in the supreme court said that we have been declared as
39:50dead and here we are so so much of the authenticity of this poll okay so so sir i want
39:58to understand from
39:58you are these administrative lapses are these administrative uh lacuna or do you see a malefidey
40:07intent in what is happening well yes you know that's a very good question i have been very reticent
40:17very hesitant to comment on my successor but if you collect the evidence from here and there the way
40:24deletions have been happening the fact that delhi computer has taken over the only legal authority
40:31ero though he is the only person who can change the role addition or deletion only one by law not
40:39his
40:39boss the dc not his boss boss the cc nobody had the power only she and was bypassed somebody there
40:47sitting in delhi on the computer was doing all the deletion and the goa instance although it may be
40:54just 97 numbers compared to 13 crores it is insignificant but actually that brings out the
41:00point very legally there the guy is protesting i have checked up these are genuine voters please
41:06get them back and computer says no we will not get them back so this kind of irresponsible action is
41:13not
41:13acceptable this is not how you can play with democracy okay so therefore you are the question
41:18whether it is malefidey i have now come to the conclusion yes it was malefidey particularly to
41:24delete a particular section of water and i have no hesitation today with with great reluctance i say
41:29that basic targets for the muslims and potentially all non-bjb voters they were the target which is why
41:37and we have seen 75 from one booth every muslim booth sub 60 percent gone 70 percent gone 80 percent
41:44gone what the hell is happening and they thought they will get away with it sir that's a very very
41:51serious charge you're leveling you are saying here on india today on india first that muslims are being
41:58singled out muslim names are being deleted uh from from the election commission sir how do you back this
42:05uh with with evidence uh because uh if this is actually happening shouldn't this be backed with
42:11evidence because this could lead to inflamed uh situation point one point two if you were cc
42:18what would you have done differently for example if mps want to come and meet you
42:23uh if they're protesting on the street what would you have done sir
42:29yeah there are two things number one this kind of situation would not have arisen in my time
42:34because in the because this accumulation of uh what was happening but like i'll give you one
42:40example you know in my time the anti-evm uh campaign was at its peak yes he stood the loudest
42:48critic
42:48was the bjp they even wrote a book called democracy at risk with a foreword by mr advani when i
42:55came
42:55that was my style my style is uh always uh discussion consultation i immediately called a meeting of
43:02political parties all political parties and it was the it was led by chandar babu and i do first when
43:08when he came in i said chandar babuji i'm surprised that technology man technology icon and you're leading
43:15he was a technology man so you know you made two three interesting statements he said look we are not
43:20saying that evm have manipulated the results or they will do it in future then i said what are you
43:25saying he says it is not transparent what does what does it mean he said when you press a button
43:30it goes into a machine whether it is going to the right candidate we can't see so i said what
43:35is
43:35the solution he said vvpat believe me in the same meeting okay because it was a wise suggestion in the
43:42same meeting we accepted the suggestion and we told the two companies to start developing the vvpat okay
43:49that's that's right that's how the vvpat system came so what you're advising is
43:53cec should invite representatives of the opposite for a cup of tea and have that discussion let's
43:58see if that happens mr koreshi for joining me here on this india today's special broadcast
44:02many thanks sir i need to slip into a quick break here on the other side of a short break
44:10we talk
44:10about the legend nana partaker he sadly passed away this morning at the age of 75 we will relive a
44:19special
44:20interaction that i had with nana partaker when he came to the india today's studio that story and
44:26lots more coming up stay with us
44:29in the middle of the national award is the factory
44:443 years later, 4 years later, 5 years later.
44:48And what? 3 years later.
44:503 years later, 4 years later.
44:53Our journey is very high.
44:55But I think this is more than a year in the film industry.
44:59How many years have you been?
45:0150 years.
45:0250 years.
45:03How are you?
45:05We should talk about it.
45:08We are senior in the industry.
45:09But I'm honest.
45:11We were looking at such a moment.
45:16It was a little fun.
45:19It didn't happen.
45:19It was such a moment.
45:21And this person,
45:22we should do it again.
45:24I want to think about it.
45:27Thank you very much.
45:46That was an interaction that we had with the team of the vaccine war in 2023.
45:53This was another side of Nana Patekar not many saw in public.
45:59He could laugh.
46:01He could make you laugh.
46:02And not just in films, but in real life.
46:05He was so full of anecdotes and stories.
46:08Once he opened up, he was so pure, so clean.
46:13That, you know, in his heart that there would be so many stories that would just pour out.
46:18One of the most iconic actors of the film industry, Nana Patekar.
46:23He sadly passed away at the age of 75 in Goa this morning.
46:26He suffered a massive cardiac arrest at his residence very early this morning.
46:30Nana Patekar had complained that he was feeling unwell.
46:34He was found unconscious at home.
46:36He was rushed to hospital.
46:38Doctors attempted to revive him for nearly 45 minutes.
46:42But despite their best efforts, he could not be saved.
46:45He was declared dead around 5.20 this morning.
46:48His mortal remains will now be taken to his farmhouse near Pune.
46:53His final rites will be performed with full state honours.
46:56The Maharashtra government has announced a state funeral honouring his immense contribution,
47:02not just to Marathi theatre, but also to Hindi and Marathi cinema.
47:07His death triggered an outpouring of grief across the country.
47:12President Draupadi Murmu remembered him as a very powerful and evocative voice.
47:17His performances, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan described him as a very versatile actor,
47:22immensely talented.
47:22Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the veteran actor,
47:26remembering his intensity, his individuality and his unmistakable presence.
47:32The Prime Minister said,
47:33Nana Patekar brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role
47:39and his contribution to both Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense.
47:44Some actors entertain us, some leave an imprint.
47:49Nana Patekar did both.
47:51From the comic brilliance of Uday Shetty to the firebrand of Pratap,
47:56the menace of Anna Seth and the vulnerability of Natsamrat.
48:02He inhabited every character and unmatched intensity.
48:07I remember, I remember meeting him in Kargil, the war in 1999.
48:14He trained for Prahar as a commando.
48:17In fact, the current governor of Mizoram,
48:20General V. K. Singh, former chief of army staff, General V. K. Singh,
48:23then a left-in colonel had trained him.
48:26He behaved every inch a commando, not just for the film.
48:30When the Kargil war happened, he came to Kargil, he came to Dras, went to Leh,
48:35went to North Kashmir and he served there, including with the quick reaction team.
48:41Let's take a look at some of his performances that made Nana Patekar unforgettable,
48:48immortal on screen.
48:50He will forever live on in our hearts and on the silver screen.
49:12Some actors leave behind films.
49:18Some leave behind memories.
49:24Nana Patekar left behind both.
49:30And a legacy that will be impossible to replace.
49:35With a voice that could shake a room,
49:41a silence that could break hearts,
49:49and an intensity that was unmistakably his.
49:53Patekar made every character unforgettable.
49:59As the curtains fall,
50:01his performances remain alive on screen forever in our hearts.
50:19And among the many characters that made Nana Patekar unforgettable,
50:27Welcome gave audiences a side of him that was widely different and utterly iconic.
50:36As the lovable yet intimidating Uday Shetty, Patekar turned every scene into a masterclass in comic timing.
50:44Deadpan humor and sheer screen presence.
50:55His chemistry with the ensemble cast made Uday one of the most memorable characters in Hindi comedy.
51:07And if there is one performance that captured his ability to turn an ordinary man into extraordinary force,
51:14it was Krantiveer.
51:18As Pratap, he played an aimless man who finds purpose in fighting corruption and injustice.
51:25His transformation, fueled by anger, conviction, and an unwavering sense of right and wrong,
51:32earned him both the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Actor,
51:36making it one of the defining performances of his career.
51:50Meanwhile, Nana Patekar revealed a far more vulnerable side in Natsamarat.
51:56As a celebrated theatre veteran facing old age, loneliness, and rejection from his family.
52:02He delivered a raw and heartbreaking performance, reminding audiences that even the strongest can be broken by those they love.
52:11You should think of Shakespeare's soul.
52:14Why?
52:15However, his legacy was never limited to emotional dramas.
52:19In Parinda, he became Annaset, a ruthless and chilling underworld don, whose very presence made the screen feel dangerous.
52:29Annaset! Annaset!
52:32Interestingly, Nana was equally compelling behind the camera.
52:35In Prahar, the final attack, he directed the film and played Major V.S. Chawan,
52:42a fiercely disciplined army officer battling a broken system.
52:47While audiences often remember him for his rage and intensity,
52:51Khamoshi, the musical, revealed his softer side.
52:56As a deaf, mute father, he conveyed love, helplessness, and heartbreak without words,
53:03making his performance all the more powerful.
53:07I am always with you.
53:09Then came Agni Sakshi, where he once again embraced a psychologically intense character,
53:15bringing menace and unpredictability to the screen.
53:23And, with up to 6, he gave audiences another unforgettable character.
53:30A tough and a determined police officer.
53:34From Pratap to Annaset, Major Chawan to Udaybhai,
53:40Nanapatakar never merrily performed characters, he became them and perhaps that is the greatest
53:50legacy an actor can leave behind.
53:53Not just a body of work but performances that cinema can never forget.
54:11But if you don't know it, you don't know it.