'People will remember this': Sanjay Raut hits out at CJI for refusing to meet INDIA b
'People will remember this': Sanjay Raut hits out at CJI for refusing to meet INDIA bloc leaders
M.U.H
12/10/202666
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday criticised Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant after he reportedly declined to meet Opposition leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, amid the INDIA bloc's planned march to the Supreme Court over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking to ANI, Raut said the Opposition had sought an appointment with the CJI to raise concerns over alleged electoral fraud and the deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls. He criticised the reported refusal, saying citizens would remember the decision.
"We have come today as the INDIA bloc is organising a major march towards the Supreme Court to meet the Chief Justice. We had requested an appointment... The Chief Justice, whose role is to safeguard the Constitution, is unwilling to meet us... When we are seeking to save democracy amidst the theft of votes and electoral fraud, and the deletion of millions of names from the rolls and wish to meet you to voice our grievance, you say you will not meet politicians. The people will remember this," Raut told ANI.
Raut questions access to the judiciary
Raut said the Opposition had initially been given to understand that a meeting could take place within four to five days, but was subsequently informed that political leaders would not be granted an appointment.
He described the development as a setback for those seeking judicial intervention over their concerns about the electoral process.
"This kind of stance, when taken by the Chief Justice of India, is a blow to the millions of citizens in this country who are fighting against autocracy and fighting for the protection of democracy. All doors have been closed. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have installed their own people in every constitutional institution. As a final resort, when we tried to visit the Chief Justice of India, the Chief Justice of India closed the doors. This is a misfortune for the constitution and democracy of this country," he said.
Raut also questioned where citizens should turn if they believed their voting rights and democratic safeguards were being undermined.
INDIA bloc to continue agitation over SIR
The proposed march is part of the INDIA bloc's campaign against the SIR process and its demand for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including his resignation.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Santosh Kumar said the Opposition would continue its agitation despite the reported refusal of the CJI to meet its leaders.
He said the alliance had already held protests outside the Election Commission of India and met the President of India before deciding to seek a meeting with the Chief Justice.
"But we will continue our protests. And today, there is a meeting of India Alliance MPs and leaders, so we will chalk out a further action plan in that meeting. And in the coming days, the demand of Gyanesh Kumar will intensify - I mean, our resignation [demand] will intensify. All India parties are united, and more and more youth and student organizations are also joining. Even though Delhi has become a military zone, we will continue our agitation with full capacity in the coming days also," Kumar said.
The Opposition has maintained that its campaign is aimed at protecting electoral integrity and democratic institutions. Its allegations concerning the SIR process remain claims raised by the alliance.
