New Delhi — A collective of 272 prominent Indian citizens, including former judges, diplomats, top bureaucrats, and retired military and police officers, has publicly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent allegations against the Election Commission (EC).
In an open letter released on Tuesday, the group condemned Rahul Gandhi’s claims of voter list manipulation as baseless. It warned that such statements erode public trust in the country’s constitutional institutions.
The signatories include 16 former judges, 14 former ambassadors, 123 retired civil servants, and 133 retired officers from the armed forces, paramilitary organisations, and police services.
Among the most prominent names endorsing the statement are:
- Adarsh Kumar Goel, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal
- Former judge S.N. Dhingra
- Former Supreme Court judge Hemant Gupta
- Justice Rajeev Lochan
- Former RAW chief Sanjeev Tripathi
- Former NIA Director Y.C. Modi
The group stated that Rahul Gandhi’s repeated accusations — made without submitting any formal complaint or affidavit — amount to “an attempt to tarnish the integrity and credibility” of institutions such as the Election Commission, the judiciary, and the armed forces.
The letter asserts that these constitutional bodies function with neutrality and transparency, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the democratic framework.
Targeting them for political gain, the signatories said, is “misguided and deeply regrettable.”
According to the statement, the Congress party, some opposition leaders, and several left-leaning NGOs have also been echoing similar claims while opposing the Election Commission’s special intensive revision of electoral rolls, a key process aimed at maintaining accurate and updated voter lists.
The signatories expressed concern that such rhetoric, when amplified without evidence, may mislead the public and undermine confidence in institutions that form the backbone of India’s democracy.
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