Kapil Sibal Criticizes Election Commission as ‘Puppet’ of Modi Government

Rapid summary:

• Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticized teh Election commission (EC), calling it a “puppet” of the Modi government and claiming its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is unconstitutional.
• Sibal alleges that this process aims to ensure majoritarian governments and questions the EC’s jurisdictional authority on determining citizenship.
• He called the SIR a method to exclude marginalized groups, ensuring politically favorable outcomes for certain parties.
• The Supreme Court intervened with an interim order asking the EC to consider Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents during SIR, stating it was a constitutional mandate.
• The SC acknowledged concerns regarding timing, procedure efficiency, and other electoral processes due to upcoming Bihar elections in November 2025.
• Justices Dhulia and Bagchi emphasized balancing constitutional duties while preventing overreach by EC. Multiple petitions challenging the drive will be heard later in July.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar raises critical debates about institutional independence and fairness ahead of future elections. While MP Kapil Sibal’s allegations highlight concerns regarding exclusionary practices potentially benefiting specific political outcomes, such claims remain subjective until substantiated thru investigation or evidence. On the other hand, the Election Commission maintains its stance on cleansing voter lists for greater accuracy-a concept intrinsically aligned with democratic principles.

The Supreme Court’s intervention refines boundaries for what constitutes legitimate action by constitutional bodies like EC while underscoring procedural scrutiny given time-sensitive election timelines. If managed effectively and transparently respecting diverse voter inclusivity-an essential marker for Indian democracy-the revision coudl strengthen trust across stakeholders rather than deepen divisions.

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