Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani has expressed deep concern over the current process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. He said that what is happening in the country is not limited to just the revision of voter list, but is becoming a very serious matter related to the basic democratic and constitutional rights of the citizens. If every citizen is forced to prove his citizenship and right to vote again and again, it will become not just a question of vote but of constitution, democracy and civil liberties.
Maulana Madani said that in the past too, revision of voter lists has been done from time to time, but the present SIR appears completely different due to its nature, methodology and possible consequences. Lakhs of citizens are making rounds of government offices, submitting various documents and facing mental stress, yet they are not sure that their names will remain in the voter list. If a constitutional right like voting becomes dependent on government discretion, it would be a very dangerous sign for the democratic system.
He said that Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind had expressed apprehension in the beginning itself that the present SIR might prove to be a new form of NRC. Now the information being received from different states is further strengthening these fears. The constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, and not to determine the citizenship of citizens. If removal of name from voter list practically becomes a question mark on someone’s citizenship, then it would be a violation of constitutional limits.
Muslims are being targeted
Maulana Madani said that it appears that under the guise of SIR, efforts are being made to deprive genuine citizens of their voting rights and in many states Muslims are being specifically targeted. Referring to West Bengal, he said that calling 27 lakh voters suspicious and raising questions on their voting rights is a serious stain on democracy. According to available reports, a large number of those affected are Muslims, which raises serious questions on the fairness of the entire process.
Citizens advised to take precautions
He said that as the next phase of SIR has begun, all citizens, including Muslims, need to proceed with extraordinary awareness, legal understanding and caution. Keep all the necessary documents ready in advance and do not submit any form in any kind of haste or carelessness, because even a small technical error can lead to serious legal complications later on.
Maulana Madani assured
Maulana Madani assured that like before, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind will continue to provide guidance, scrutiny of documents and necessary legal assistance to the people through its workers, officials, advocates and legal experts across the country, so that no citizen is deprived of his constitutional and democratic rights due to ignorance or technical error.
Attempt to weaken Muslim votes
He said that the perception is becoming increasingly strong that the process of revision of voter lists is not limited to merely improving the electoral lists, but in some quarters it is also being seen as a means of weakening the influence of Muslim votes. Referring to the new delimitation of Assam, he said that during the reorganization of constituencies there, fears were expressed of weakening the influence of Muslim votes and now there is a fear that similar steps may be taken in other states also.
There is hope from the Supreme Court that we will get justice.
Maulana Madani said that when the administration and other institutions fail to provide justice, then the Supreme Court is the last hope of the people. He welcomed the approach of the Supreme Court by the opposition parties against the SIR and expressed hope that the Supreme Court will provide effective guidance to protect the supremacy of the Constitution, fundamental rights of citizens and transparency of the electoral process.
Jamiat had struggled during NRC in Assam
Maulana Madani said that Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind had fought a historic legal battle during the NRC in Assam, as a result of which lakhs of Hindu and Muslim families were provided legal aid and countless Indian citizens were saved from being declared foreigners. He said that this struggle of Jamiat was not for any one community, but to protect the Constitution, justice and the dignity of every Indian citizen.
Every citizen’s voting rights should be protected: Madani
In the end, Maulana Madani said that if in the name of SIR, any attempt is made to attack the voting rights or other constitutional rights of any citizen, then Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind will stand with them with full strength on every legal, constitutional and democratic front. He said that the strength of democracy lies in the fact that the voting rights of every citizen should be protected, the supremacy of the Constitution should be maintained and no Indian citizen should be forced to prove his citizenship without any valid reason.
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