The Modi government deserves unequivocal praise for refusing to entertain any discussion in Parliament on the Election Commission’s Special Investigation Report (SIR). It is a necessary and constitutionally sound decision to protect the integrity of an independent Constitutional body from political theatrics and baseless innuendos. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a Constitutional authority under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. Its independence and autonomy are non-negotiable. It is not answerable to the executive or legislature in the conduct of its constitutionally assigned duties, including holding free and fair elections. To demand a debate on its functioning within the walls of Parliament is not only unprecedented—it is a direct assault on the very foundations of our democratic framework. Yet, the Congress party and its I.N.D.I. Alliance partners have chosen to make this an everyday circus. Since the opening of the Monsoon Session, the Opposition has staged protests at Makardwar within Parliament, holding placards, shouting slogans, and disrupting proceedings, all in the name of a ‘debate’ on the SIR. The irony is painful: these are the same people who, with great fanfare, hold up copies of the Constitution and preach to the nation about protecting democratic institutions. But when it suits their narrow political objectives, they have no qualms dragging a neutral constitutional authority through the political mud. This disruption is not just a breach of decorum; it is sabotage of the democratic process. Question Hour and Zero Hour—vital instruments for Members of Parliament to raise issues concerning their constituencies—have been rendered meaningless by Rahul Gandhi and his ‘bhajan mandali.’ Ever since the Opposition crossed the 200-seat mark in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they seem to have mistaken their improved numbers for a license to vandalize parliamentary functioning. Their protests are not about accountability—they are about revenge. And what is their central accusation? That the ECI ‘stole’ the 2024 general election for the BJP. Rahul Gandhi now claims to possess “open and shut” evidence of “vote chori” and warns the Commission that it will “have nowhere to hide.” This is not a critique. This is veiled intimidation.
The Election Commission, in a rare and scathing rebuke, rightly called these remarks “wild allegations” and condemned Gandhi’s “daily threats” to poll officials. In a democracy as vast and complex as India’s—with over 970 million eligible voters—the ECI carries out its constitutional mandate with remarkable efficiency. Instead of acknowledging the world’s largest electoral exercise as a triumph of Indian democracy, the Congress scorns it merely because it failed to win. One must remember that the same Election Commission was lauded by Congress and its allies when they won multiple assembly elections post-Lok Sabha results. If the Commission was capable of orchestrating results for the BJP, how did Congress manage to win Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka? Selective faith in institutions—praise when convenient, abuse when cornered—is the true hallmark of Congress-style democracy. Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, appears to have learned nothing from his past disqualifications and court battles. His repeated crossing of the Lakshman Rekha—insulting institutions, making wild charges without evidence, and assuming immunity because of his last name—must be dealt with sternly. If necessary, the Election Commission should invoke provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and take punitive action for violations that compromise the integrity of elections or intimidate election officials. This isn’t about protecting the government. It is about safeguarding the sanctity of institutions. The ECI is not a punching bag for sore losers. The Supreme Court, where the Opposition has already taken their grievances, is the appropriate forum, not Parliament, not television studios, and certainly not placard-waving mobs in the well of the House. The Modi government’s refusal to discuss the SIR is both a constitutional necessity and a principled stand. Every Indian who values our democracy must support it. Because today, it is the Election Commission under attack. Tomorrow it could be the Judiciary, the CAG, or even the Comptroller and Auditor General. Enough is enough. It’s time for Rahul Gandhi and his allies to stop weaponizing the Constitution while simultaneously undermining it.
