‘SIR’ might remove over 10 crore voters from electoral rolls across India: Prof. Yogendra Yadav
“The process could ultimately benefit the BJP,” says Yadav
Bengaluru: Political analyst Yogendra Yadav has expressed concern that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India across different states could result in the removal of more than 10 crore eligible voters across the country, mainly affecting migrant workers and the poorest sections of society.
He was speaking at a seminar titled “SIR: What is happening in 13 states? What needs to be done in Karnataka?” organised by the Jagruta Karnataka at the Kondaji Basappa Auditorium in the city on Saturday.
Yadav said that the SIR process is creating hardships for migrant workers. According to him, when people migrate for work, their names are often not included in the voter list at the place where they move, while their names are also removed from the voter list in their hometowns. He expressed concern that such developments could lead to a situation where people might one day be questioned about their citizenship.
“More than two crore people have already been removed from voter lists. In the SIR exercise in West Bengal, the final electoral roll is yet to be released. With the revision process currently underway in Karnataka and several other states, the number of voters removed across the country could reach around 10 crore by the time the exercise is completed,” he added.
Yadav also analysed the possible political impact of the revision.
He said some people argue that not all of the 10 crore voters would be opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, he said that if the bottom ten crore people in the country are removed from the voter rolls, many of them could be anti-BJP voters. “Even a small loss of votes for the BJP through the SIR process could affect the broader political structure, in my view the process could ultimately benefit the BJP,” he said.
The Election Commission, he said, had stated that the revision exercise aims to remove outsiders (foreign people) from electoral rolls. However, Yadav questioned how many of the people removed so far were actually outsiders ?. Referring to this, he remarked that the process was like “digging a hill and catching a dead mouse.”
“Democracy in India is under strain”
He further alleged that democracy in India was under strain.
According to him, although the Constitution exists, it is not being implemented properly.
He said there is a judiciary but no verdicts are passed against those in power, and elections are held but the results favour the ruling establishment.
Referring to the 2024 general elections, he said the slogan of “Char So Par” did not materialise, and that the message had reached the ruling establishment that while institutions such as the judiciary and executive could be managed, the people could not. He alleged that measures such as delimitation of constituencies, the proposal for “one nation, one election,” and the SIR process were being pursued in this context.
Speaking about the possible impact of seat redistribution in the Lok Sabha, Yadav said some states not governed by the BJP could see a reduction in seats.
According to him, Kerala’s seats could reduce to 12, Tamil Nadu’s could fall from 39 to 31, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana could also lose several seats. Karnataka too could lose two seats, he said, while seats in northern and Hindi-speaking states including Gujarat could increase.
Yadav also praised Karnataka’s history of social and political movements, stating that the state has often been seen as a guiding force for the rest of the country.
Referring to the M. D. Nanjundaswamy and the farmers’ movement led by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, as well as the contributions of writers and thinkers such as D. R. Nagaraj and Devanur Mahadeva in the Dalit movement, he said the entire country has often looked towards Karnataka for inspiration.
He added that efforts to oppose alleged vote rigging had also begun in the state and expressed hope that Karnataka would lead the fight against the SIR process as well.
Meanwhile, speaking at the programme, Jagruta Karnataka leader B. C. Basavaraj said the Election Commission should carry out thorough verification of electoral rolls but ensure that no eligible voter is excluded.
He said the Commission should identify those who are not on the voter list and add them so they can exercise their voting rights, rather than removing eligible voters during the SIR process.
Leaders including Rahul Shastri of the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, Avik Saha of the Jai Kisan Andolan, and Ashish Ranjan of the Jana Jagaran Shakti Sangathan were also present at the event.
Yadav further said that even if a person had voted in multiple elections earlier, failure to participate in the SIR process could result in their name being removed from the voter list.
He added that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself did not apply for inclusion in the voter list during the SIR process, his name too could be deleted despite holding the office of Chief Minister.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
