Economist and author Parakala Prabhakar, speaking at a “Ban EVM, Reject SIR” session organised by the Movement for Retrieving Voter Rights in Chennai, criticised the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and called on political parties to unite against the process.
Economist and author Parakala Prabhakar on Tuesday contended that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, in which several thousand entries were removed across the country, was a part of efforts to turn India into a “savarna Hindu Rashtra”.
“By deleting these people from political society, the aim is to make India a Hindu Rashtra, a savarna Hindu Rashtra. Please understand that SIR is not just an electoral issue,” Mr. Prabhakar said. The SIR should be opposed at the fundamental level, he said.
“Fundamental opposition has to stem from what it [the SIR] is going to lead India into,” he added.
The voters deleted from the rolls were largely Muslims, Christians, minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, and marginalised and voiceless people, he said. “People still ask if that was so, how these communities continue to be on the rolls... Can anybody say this will be the last SIR?” he said.
Taking part in a brain-storming session “Ban EVM, Reject SIR”, organised by the Movement for Retrieving Voter Rights at Periyar Thidal in Chennai, Mr. Prabhakar pointed out how the SIR carried out by the Election Commission of India recently was different from the ones carried out a few years ago.
Observing that there was little time left before democracy in the country could be protected, Mr. Prabhakar called upon political parties to remain united and put up a strong fight against the SIR.
He further appealed to them not to contest elections, contending that taking part in the elections would only “legitimise the fraud”.
Political commentator V. Ponraj recalled instances where several voters were removed from the electoral rolls in various parts of the country. Journalist Ayyanathan said paper ballot was essential for democracy.