Islamophobic Speech of Indian Prime Minister and Questionable Conduct of Election Commission – Ten Questions To Chief Election Commissioner

 

Respected Sir,

 

The data of citizens who cast their votes in Phase 1 and phase 2 of the 2024 General Elections must have surprised you. Millions upon millions of voters have abstained from voting as they appear to have lost faith in you as a neutral umpire. It is crystal clear to them that this election is neither fair nor free. You alone are principally responsible for this. You have lowered the authority of this Constitutional body by acts of omission and commission even when public-spirited citizens, civil society members, political parties have been petitioning you to act fast and against the highest in the country. You chose to be subservient to the rulers. A few simple questions addressed to you are in order.

 

1.    Are you aware that the Election Commission of India functions as a quasi-judicial body?

2.    Do you know about the law of natural justice and that the Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence is the basis of the Indian judicial system?

3.    Are you aware that the Election Commission – upon receiving complaints regarding serious violation of Model Code of Conduct – cannot sit over the matter in the manner of sarkari babus? 

4.    Do you have a functioning 24x7 ‘War-room’ operating to address these complaints at the speed of light?

5.    Is it known to you that you cannot set aside some parts of the complaint and enquire into other parts only?

6.    What makes you hesitant in sending a notice by name to the Prime Minister of India when the complaint pertains to his speech which is Islamophobic?

7.    Why are you ‘clubbing’ complaints regarding two top leaders of the two major political parties?

8.    The moment you ‘club’ two complaints is not the Commission indicating that both are at par even before you have heard the respective replies of the persons against whom the complaints have been made?

9.    Wouldn’t it be prudent to deal with complaints on a case-to-case basis on merits?

10. Remember that you hold a post kept on parity with the Supreme Court Judges. Why not do whatever is in your power to deal with the complaint against the Prime Minister of India? You may, as yet, redeem the Commission’s reputation.    

 

Thanks,

Yours sincerely,

P.S. Sahni

Member, PIL Watch Group

Blog: pilwatchgroup@gmail.com

A Political Party Contesting Just Ten Lok Sabha Seats In Maharashtra Has LGBTQIA Interests In Its Manifesto

 

by

 

P.S. Sahni

 

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) released its 32-paged Lok Sabha Election Manifesto on 25^th April 2024. The party highlighted welfare measures for the LGBTQIA community. The amazing thing is that it is contesting on just ten out of 48 seats in alliance with Indian National Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in Maharashtra. Yet it has kept the LGBTQIA community’s interests in mind. Contrast it with the Manifesto of BJP which has hundreds of MPs but has ignored the gays, lesbians, bi-sexual and asexual.

 

The Manifesto States

 

·      Legal recognition: Ensure legal rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, including marriage, adoption and healthcare access.

·      Inclusive Education: Provide educator training on LGBTQIA+ issues and foster safe and supportive educational environments for LGBTQIA+ students.

·      Healthcare Access Guarantee inclusive healthcare services, including gender-affirming care, mental health support and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

·      Hate Crime Legislation: enact laws targeting hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ individuals and train law enforcement agencies to effectively handle such crimes.

·      Community support Services: invest in youth centers, counseling and support groups to tackle community-specific challenges and enhance well-being.

·      Workplace Inclusivity: Implement policies to eliminate discrimination, harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

·      Public awareness campaigns: conduct sensitization initiatives to dismantle stereotypes, diminish stigma and cultivate understanding and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

 

Supriya Sule of the NCP (SP) is a long-time friend, philosopher and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. The NCP had formed LGBT Cell in October 2020. She had introduced a Private Member’s Bill in parliament on 1^st April 2022. The Bill proposed:

 

·      Same-sex marriage and asked for similar rights to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples

·      Fixing marriageable age at 21 years if both partners are male, and 18 years for female partners.

·      Replacing the words “husband” and “wife” with “spouse” by amending the various sections of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The Bill could not become an Act, but Supriya’s effort was the need of the hour.

 

On The Recent Islamophobic Speech of Prime Minister of India – Ten Questions To Attorney General For India, R. Venkataramani

 

^{Respected Sir,}

 

^{1.           Have you thought about the infamous election speech delivered by the Prime Minister of India in Banswara, Rajasthan on Sunday, 21 April 2024?}

 

^{2.           Are you outraged over the Prime Minister’s blatantly Islamophobic speech?}

 

^{3.           Do you agree that it violates The Model Code of Conduct?}

 

^{4.           Do you agree that it violates Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951?}

 

^{5.           Do you agree that it appeals to communal feelings and constitutes a Hate Crime?}

 

^{6.           Are you aware that a large number of complaints have been filed by individuals/ civil society organizations/ political parties against this speech of the P.M. with the Election Commission of India (ECI); as also the Police Commissioners in Delhi and Rajasthan amongst other places?}

 

^{7.           Has the Government of India taken your opinion on this issue?  If so, what has been your stance?}

 

^{8.           Since the ECI and the police department have not taken any action; and the judiciary is beyond approach during this period of election, would you like to rise to the occasion and fulfil your constitutional duty and make your own stance clear to the Prime Minister?}

 

^{9.           Do you share this wisdom that with the Prime Minister’s speech and the accompanying hate campaign against the Muslim community, the social fabric of society could get ruptured paving the way for a civil disorder?}

 

^{10.       Do you agree that the consequences for these developments would mean suffering on a large scale?}

 

^{The Attorney General for India, a Constitutional body, stands as a pillar of the country’s legal system. Your silence on these questions would only mean acquiescence.}

 

^{Thank you,}

^{Yours sincerely,}

^{P.S. Sahni}

^{Member, PIL Watch Group}

^{Email: pilwatchgroup@gmail.com}

Were Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal To Die In Tihar Jail For Deficient Treatment, A Murder Case Against Indian Home Minister Would Be In Order

 

by

 

P.S. Sahni

 

Kejriwal has accused authorities at Tihar prison and Enforcement Directorate (ED) of depriving him of medication (Insulin) and of lying to a Delhi Court that he was intentionally eating high sugar foods (mangoes, sweets) to have his blood sugar levels raised.

 

The lowest depths to which court proceedings were allowed to continue – without admonition from the Special Judge – can be seen from the fact that it was the ED. which was submitting the details of Kejriwal’s diet. The Special Judge did not object to ED arguing at length on medical issues. In fact, jail authorities are not supposed to inform ED about Kejriwal’s diet.

 

Besides Type II diabetes patients are prescribed mango (150 Gms) as it has a low glycaemic index. The Chief Minister could also take sweets too, within the prescribed amount. These items are not banned for diabetic patients. In fact, the court proceedings have sent a wrong and un-scientific message to over hundred million diabetics in India. ED’s statements are at par with Baba Ramdev’s opinion about allopathy – highly condemnable.

 

The real issue raised by the INDIA Bloc parties about the electoral bond scam indulged in by the Modi government is being sought to be side-tracked. Kejriwal’s court proceedings are being manipulated through projection of Kejriwal as a cheat who eats mangoes, sweets in jail to get his blood sugar levels raised; as this may get him bail on medical grounds. Kejriwal’s blood sugar levels have ranged from 250 mg/dL to 320 mg/dL during the day and he has reportedly 3 spikes. His fasting sugar is 160–200.

 

Indeed 1400 million Indians are witnessing a slow motion ‘cold-blooded murder’ of an INDIA Bloc leader for daring to expose corruption in high places. The old messy way of physical police encounters in public streets are a passé.  

“Is Palestine Burning?”

 

by

 

P. S. Sahni

 

[Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at the War Cabinet Meeting somewhere in Circa 2027, May 1^st.]

 

IDF Chief: Sir, we have killed over 200,000 Palestinians so far. Worse, Hamas is alive and kicking; besides our intelligence reports indicate that it had managed to dig a tunnel over 240 feet deep in the Negev Desert, roughly thirteen km south-east of Dimona city. A suicide squad of Hamas fighters have with them about one million pounds of high explosives laid 100 feet beneath the underground facility directly below the nuclear installations!   

 

Netanyahu: How could it happen right under our nose? Intelligence failure again? Collusion?

 

IDF Chief: Permit me to present a holistic view. The air space over the Dimona facility is closed to all aircrafts and the area around it is heavily guarded and fenced off. Constructed in 1958 with French assistance, it underwent a major expansion in 2021. Air defenses protect the facility and are full proof. True, it is vulnerable to attacks from Iran, in October-November 2012 Hamas fired rockets at Dimona. Also, in July 2014 Hamas again fired rockets towards the area surrounding the facility. Yes, even as late as April 2021, a Syrian surface-to air missile landed in the vicinity of the place. All along we have been worried about Hamas using its artillery rockets to shell the Dimona reactor. Dimona is approximately 80 km away from the closest point to the Gaza Strip.

 

Just to recapitulate that in February 2008 two Hamas fighters crossed from Hebron, in the West Bank and reached Dimona in the south.  The separation barrier could not really protect us. That’s the truth.

 

All along we were aware of the capabilities of Hamas fighters to use air and ground routes to strike. In all fairness we were able to protect the nuclear facility at Dimona from 1958 till date.

 

Ultra Right-Wing Member: So, you did not keep the possibility of construction of a deep tunnel by Hamas to reach the Dimona facility? The whole world is aware that Hamas has constructed a 500 km long tunnel network in the small area of Gaza Strip. Why, then, the complacency? And now you present us with a fait accompli.

 

IDF Chief: You recall that a technician, Mordechai Vanunu who worked at the Dimona Reactor and had defected to the UK in 1986 where he made public the details of the secret nuclear reactor and the buildings underneath it. Remember that Hezbollah was established in 1982; and Hamas in 1987. A Hezbollah operative got in touch with a French civil engineer and learnt about a long underground tunnel extending from Dimona reactor to a point 100 yards away from the Israel-Gaza Strip border. The French had constructed this tunnel in the 1960s; it was to function as a mass quarantine centre to escape the ill-effects of radiation. The tunnel never got to be used and was all but forgotten.

 

Scapegoating can be left for a future date. Let us first ensure our very own survival. Permit me to present the whole issue threadbare. In the first place Israel has never officially accepted to the international community that it has a Dimona reactor. Secondly, we are not a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. If Hamas is able to use the explosives we have had it. We will face the embarrassment that Israel has cheated the whole world since 1958 about its nuclear reactor. Worse, Hamas – whom we have managed to project successfully as a terror group rather than a freedom fighter organization – would be credited with being instrumental in letting the world know about our secret nuclear program. Besides, with the genocide of Palestinians we have committed, the entire world community – barring half a dozen western democracies, is already spitting at us.

 

On the positive side, Mr. Netanyahu you would get yet another solid reason to postpone elections as you have done since 7 October 2023. Remember public memory is short. Besides the intelligence reports indicate that were you to hold elections anytime, you would be booted out of power; your pending corruption cases in the Supreme Court could get you life imprisonment. Moreover, the International Criminal Court could award you 30 years of incarceration. Lucky for you, capital punishment is not an option for ICC.

 

True the explosion at Dimona would have consequences – mass deaths, injuries, destruction, congenital defects in newborn babies in the future generations; besides air, water and soil contamination with radio- active material leaking out and spreading far and wide.

 

Remember that as time passes by masses forget even mass tragedies. Take the U.S bombing of Japan. Has the U.S ever faced any Nuremberg-type trial? Recall that in 1945 the Allies called for unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese armed forces, the alternative being “prompt and utter destruction”. The Japanese government ignored the ultimatum.

 

Sir, I am at the end of my briefing. Israel today stands at the same point of deflection as Japan stood on 26 July 1945. Hamas deadline is fast approaching – think fast and decisively – are we surrendering to Hamas or are we getting Israel destroyed.

 

Netanyahu: Quick, get me to the U.S President on the hotline

 

IDF Chief: Sir, we had kept him informed all along about the mess we are in. The FBI has safely deposited him at an under-ground facility, since the President feared that the security of even the Oval Office would stand compromised in such troubled international times.

 

Netanyahu: How about getting to the French President?

 

IDF Chief: He, too, was kept in the loop all along. The only message he has for you is that we should not confess even in a court of law that the Dimona reactor was built with French assistance.

 

The War Cabinet Meeting ended with a consensus note: No to surrender to Hamas; the death and suffering of several hundred thousand Israelis is a small price we have to pay. We will re-built Israel all over again as the Japanese did after WW-II. As the meeting ended a loud explosion of unparalleled magnitude was heard instantly; apparently a Hamas mole within the War Cabinet had sent a message to Hamas about the green signal to go ahead with the explosion. Rest is history.

“Modi Will Go To Jail If INDIA Bloc Wins Polls” Vs. “Give Me 5 More Years To Put Congress Netas In Jail”

 

by

P.S. Sahni

 

The corporate press comes in handy when there is a media war between ruling class parties. The Economic Times reported:

“Talking to reporters in Patna on 11-4-2024 Bharti raised the issue of electoral bonds and said BJP leaders in Bihar as well as the PM will be put behind bars for raising donations through the scheme by mis-using central agencies”.

 

Even thehindu.com reports:

“Modi will go to jail if INDIA bloc wins polls, says Lalu’s elder daughter Misa Bharti”.

 

It is just as well to recall what PM Modi has said in the past about sending opposition leaders to jail:

·      On 27 November 2023 media reported that “Our Resolve is to Send Corrupt BRS Leaders To Jail” (Syndicated feed carried by NDTV). 

·      The Business Standard dated 10 April 2019 states: “give me 5 more years to put Congress netas in jail-Modi”.

·      The India Today dated 8 May 2019 states: “PM Modi targets Robert Vadra, says will send him to jail if voted to power”.

·      The ZEE BUSINESS dated 11 April 2024 reported the PM as saying: “the corrupt will have to go to jail”.

 

The BJP Chief, J.P. Nadda said about Misa Bharti’s comment that such remarks against the PM reflect the frustration of the opposition leaders. Again, Ravi Shankar Prasad, former Union Minister and local BJP MP, advised Misa against passing derogatory remarks towards the PM, reported the TNN, 11 April 2024. The question which arises is if PM can talk of throwing named opposition leaders in jail why can’t Misa Bharti say that she would put BJP leaders in Bihar as well as the PM in jail? Secondly, if such comments show the frustration of the opposition leaders, why is it that the PM’s remarks of similar nature do not represent his frustration against the opposition leaders?

 

There is another question. The Union Minister, General (retd.) V.K. Singh inquired of Kejriwal (4 January 2024, ANI):

“Why does Kejriwal fear enquiry if he has not done any wrong?”

 

Anyone can ask the PM as to why is he worried about facing an enquiry in the electoral bond scam if he has done no wrong?

 

In fact, much earlier the Business Standard dated 27 December 2015 reported:

 

The AAP leader retorted by asking why Jaitley was “afraid” of a probe if he had done no wrong (reference is to the city government’s enquiry panel into DDCA affairs).

 

The Way Forward For All Ruling Class Parties

 

In a democracy there should be no place for any leader to threaten oppositional netas with being thrown in jail. Besides every accused is considered to be innocent till the court convicts that person. It is the job of the police, investigative agencies to collect evidence, file FIR, move court, frame charges and make arrests only if absolutely needed. The moment a political leader of stature threatens oppositional netas with incarceration there is seen a subtle attempt to influence the police, investigative agencies and even the courts. If the PM and his/her cabinet colleagues (present or former) start/join a public campaign advocating jails to be the rightful place for leaders of opposition parties this could constitute a media trial; even the party chief may get emboldened to join this cacophony. The ruling party should stay distanced from the police-judicial system so that the citizen’s trust in this system is not decreased.

Indian Bureaucracy – Then and Now

by

P.S. Sahni

 

“Even the cream of the talent in the country in the administrative field often collapses at the slightest pressure … forging of records, fabrication of ground[s] of detention, ante-dating detention orders, and callous disregard of the rights of detainees as regards revocation, parole etc”

–       From the Shah Commission Report, 1978

 

In normal times if a citizen petitions the administration for any work and many other people or organizations support the issue raised in the petition, the bureaucracy is supposed to set in motion the process of taking action. The petition can be sent by speed post or it can be received at the concerned office. The office is supposed to give a diary number. Many times the issue gets raised in the media and there are officials in the government of India particularly in the Union Home Ministry who keep clippings of print media. In the good old days, the lowest level gazetted officer would prepare a note when the issue was of public importance. This note passes from the section officer to the under secretary, then to the deputy secretary, then to the joint secretary and again to the additional secretary. Finally, it reaches the secretary who may consult the Minister for opinion. The Ministers generally give oral advice to escape any future enquiry. An upright officer can ask for a written opinion by the Minister. That is protocol in normal times.

Meanwhile citizens and organizations can go to the office and ask for a reply to their petition. Presently anyone can file an RTI application and demand a reply. I have a very simple question. Is there not a single gazetted officer left in India who can stand-up to the powers that be? It is so obvious that the electoral bond scam has been raised by so many people, lawyers, political parties, organizations; also the petitions have been received in this or that government offices including the following constitutional/statutory bodies:

 

1.     National Investigation Agency

2.     Central Bureau of Investigation

3.     Income Tax Department

4.     Enforcement Directorate

5.     Central Vigilance Commission

6.     Securities and Exchange Board of India

7.     Reserve Bank of India

8.     State Bank of India

9.     Comptroller and Auditor General of India

10.   Election Commission of India  

 

Is it the case that no bureaucrat in India has shown the courage and do the needful expected of a public servant? Are we back to the period 1975–1977 when bureaucrats behaved the way as concluded by the Shah Commission. In 2 months’ time we would be entering the 50^th anniversary year of the declaration of Internal Emergency. But the situation is the same today. Only a mass movement can reverse it.

 

When TMC leaders protested at the office of the Election Commission of India, New Delhi recently they were detained by the police and taken to the police station. They were only demanding the transfer of some officials. They were not even challenging the authority of the Election Commission of India. I remember my friend Inder Mohan sitting on a dharna at this very office over the Kashmir Elections in the last decade of the 20^th century. In normal times the demand of transfer of officials raised by a large number of organizations is addressed and looked into by the powers that be. Since there is no declared emergency, the people are flabbergasted.

 

राजा बोला रात है
रानी बोली रात है
मंत्री बोला रात है
संतरी बोला रात है
यह सुबह सुबह की बात है

- Gorakh Pandey

Only a Fuhrer-type Leader Could Ensure That Constitutional/ Statutory Bodies Don’t Take Even A Nano-step To Investigate Electoral Bond Scam

 

by

P.S. Sahni

 

Were INDIA Bloc Parties to win 2024 elections, a Judicial Enquiry Commission should be set up to enquire into the electoral bond scam – said to be the biggest financial scam in post-independent India. Ministers in the present government including the Home Minister, Prime Minister would need to be questioned by the Commission; as also senior bureaucrats; corporate houses and businesses; corporate media – both print and T.V; the banking and financial institutions. The acts of omission and commission by all of the above entities/ individuals in the conspiracy which resulted in this scam would need to be investigated.

 

The amazing part of the whole thing is that following statutory/ constitutional/ autonomous bodies as also the Public Sector Banks; the controlling union ministries; the regulators have taken not a single step till date to address the issue:

1. NIA 2. CBI 3. IT Department 4. ED 5. CVC 6. SEBI 7. RBI 8. SBI 9. CAG 10. ECI

 

Apparent is the collusion of these entities in the larger conspiracy to keep the culprits at bay so that the 2024 General Elections pass off with benefit to the present ruling party at the centre.

 

Whither Indian Judiciary

 

In 2019 the Supreme Court refused to give an interim stay on the electoral bond case. Presently in 2024 the Supreme Court is aware of the public demand for SIT but the court has not obliged so far. If pressure on the judiciary continues, it may adjudicate the matter by the time the next general elections in 2029 take place!

 

The present Prime Minister and Home Minister are unlikely to appear before the proposed Judicial Enquiry Commission; they would take a cue from Indira Gandhi and Pranab Mukerjee who did not appear before the Shah Commission!!! Bureaucrats alone will get scapegoated; and axed, too.

 

The emerging scene is grim. Ten TMC leaders protesting at the office of Election Commission of India, New Delhi on 8^th April were detained by police. TMC Netas were demanding a level playing field and removal of heads of NIA, CBI, ED and Income tax Department.

Mass Protest Fast by AAP Across India and Other Countries – A Collective Act of Solidarity Against Kejriwal’s Arrest!

 

by

P.S Sahni & Shobha Aggarwal

“Ruke na jo jhuke na jo

Mite na jo dabe na jo

Hum wo inkalab hai

Julm ka jawab hai

Har garib har shahid

Ka ham he to khawab hai

Ruke na jo…’’

 

(1^st verse in the old number from ‘Joi Bangladesh’ – a film released in 1971 in India. AAP’s Sanjay Singh and colleague sang this number.)

 

For the first time in five years, Delhiites were witness to a mass rally at the National Protest Site, Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. About 3000 people participated. Such a large crowd we had seen at Jantar Mantar in June 2017 when people protested against Junaid Khan’s killing. Similar massive protest took place in New Delhi after Operation Blue Star when about 3000 people had assembled!

 

We attended yesterday’s protest in solidarity. We met two old comrades – who like us were not AAP members; both Gautam and J.P are non party activists. We also met a volunteer who – like us – had been attending Anna Hazare’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Before leaving we had tea and biscuits at our old ‘adda’ – a tea shop on Jantar Mantar pavement.

This protest and the I.N.D.I.A bloc public meeting at Ram Lila Maidan, Delhi a week earlier appear to be a harbinger of a silent wave about to sweep the B.J.P. The protesters at this gathering were relaxed; there was no fear on their faces. On the dais bhajans and revolutionary songs were sung by AAP leaders. The mood of the nation can be gauzed from the rendition of this old song:

“ruke na jo jhuke na jo…”

 

[Photographs by Shobha.]

    

Open Letter to the Attorney General for India. Stand up on Electoral Bond Scam. Ensure Impartial Enquiry

 

Dear Venkataramani,

 

I would like to know what you think about the judgement regarding electoral bonds. The other day you were telling the Chief Justice of India that the late Nariman was happy with this judgement. What you did not state was your own opinion on the issue. Also, what was the advice you gave to the Government of India before the arguments started in the Supreme Court of India? Also, in the last two years or so what personal opinion have you had on the validity of electoral bonds? Now that the Supreme Court has given its judgment have you now changed your views? There are some important issues arising from this judgment.

 

Many corporate houses purchased these bonds to escape from the investigative agencies. You would know that many corporate houses were in loss-making business and still purchased these bonds. Some business houses were being investigated for corruption but when these units purchased the bonds the cases filed against them were apparently withdrawn. So, there is quid pro quo. The biggest beneficiary is the BJP which appointed you as the Attorney General for India. Are you comfortable in this situation?  Do you get any pangs of conscience? Have you thought of telling the Government that this could be the biggest scam in post-independent India? You would be aware that there is no immunity available to you were this government to fall in the 2024 General Elections? Have you thought of resigning before things get too hot?

 

Perhaps all along and even now you feel that electoral bonds are the correct way of financing elections. But still after the Supreme Court judgment these bonds are seen to be illegal. Tomorrow if there is an inquiry into this scam, you will be hard put to convince the inquiry officer about your stand. I again remind you that in Nazi Germany Hitler’s de-facto Attorney General faced Nuremberg Trials.

 

I write all this since I have worked with you in the slum movement about 40 years back. I do know that you are a man of honesty and integrity.

 

P.S Sahni

Member, PIL Watch Group

Blog:   pilwatchgroup.blogspot.com

Constitutional Provisions Lacking to Prosecute Chief Election Commissioner for Partisan Acts Once General Elections are Announced

 by

P. S. Sahni

What if the Chief Election Commissioner acts in a partisan manner once the General Elections are announced and thereafter for a period of about 75 days till the election results are declared? The Constitution talks of impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner. But that process can take place in parliament only after election results are announced. It means that the bias against some political parties could change the election results. It is only later that the issue of impeachment can be raised in parliament. There should be a mechanism to provide relief during the period of election itself. Of-course people/voters can protest against any such injustice. Even the courts in India can’t intervene. True, there could be criticism from countries across the world. Even the United Nations can take a public stand on the issue. All this would put pressure on the Election Commission to mend its ways. In rare cases the entire opposition political parties can boycott the elections. This has happened in some countries.

 

The Constitution of India has provision to impeach Election Commissioners if the Chief Election Commissioner recommends to the President of India about it. But such a recommendation is not binding on the President.

 

There is no provision for prosecution of Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner for partisan acts once the general elections are announced.

 

Constitutional experts, political scientists and all those concerned about a free and fair election in a democracy need to think about the above-mentioned crucial question. Meanwhile activists could make efforts to constitute an Independent Citizens’ Tribunal to document the partisan acts of the Chief Election Commissioner and release the same in the form of a ‘Report to the Nation’ to exert moral pressure on the Election Commission of India. Also, Nation-wide peaceful protests at the offices of State Election commissions to condemn the partisan acts could be resorted to. The Election Commission of India is not above the Indian constitution. The Election Commissioners must abide by the Constitution. 

Open Letter to Kejriwal: Ernest Sterzer Survived Holocaust in Concentration Camps with Diabetes; You too with Diabetes would Survive Incarceration by a Fascist Regime!

 by

P.S. Sahni

 

I have read that you are struggling with fluctuating levels of blood sugar which had even dropped to levels below 50 mg/dl. Please ask the jail authorities to supply you with Ernest Sterzer’s memoirs where he starts by saying:

 

“To the best of my knowledge, I am the only diabetic who survived years of imprisonment in German concentration camps,”

 

His 11- page memoirs document:

·      Ernest had to sleep on cold bare floors.

·      Following two days without medicines Ernest fell into a coma overnight and awoke two days later in a hospital.

·      Ernest had his urine checked twice a day, and his blood sugar once a day. At one point he received a dose of 110 units of insulin to bring down his very high blood sugar levels.

·      After 3 weeks at Oranienburg concentration camp in Prussia, Ernest had a constant flow of pus from his ears – he was told he had developed a mastoid. Then he developed paralysis of the soft palate in the roof of the mouth.

·      At a later stage Ernest was rescued by the Allied forces who took him in and provided medical treatment.

·      Upon arriving in Vienna, Ernest discovered his parents had died in concentration camps.

·      He went blind in 1953.

·      He went on to set up the Superior Addressing and Mailing Services in New York City with the help of his seeing-dog Sheila.

·      He died in 1973.

 

(These facts adapted from and with courtesy: Surviving the Holocaust with type 1 diabetes: The story of Ernest Sterzer)

 

Kejriwal sir, you too will be free one day. Take inspiration from the story of Ernest.