Undermining nation's election system a challenge to democracy: Kerala minister K Rajan
Speaking after hoisting the National Flag at MSP Parade Grounds in Malappuram on Independence Day, Rajan said that India stands as a model for other countries because of the strong foundation of its democratic system.
"The Constitution mandates that the country's electoral process must be transparent, flawless and fair. Those who attempt to tamper with voter lists or disrupt the electoral process by fabricating fake identity documents are challenging Indian democracy, the Constitution and the sanctity of nationalism. The illusion that the Constitution can be subverted and the electoral system undermined to subvert democracy will be against India's growth and development and cannot be permitted," the minister said.
Rajan also criticized the alleged neglect of Kerala by Centre, calling it a sign of the failure of federalism.
"Even in times of disaster, Kerala has faced blatant disregard. The demand to waive the debts of Chooralmala landslide victims was not accepted — despite Section 13 of the law passed by the Parliament in 2005 allowing debt waiver for people in disaster-hit areas. The move to amend that law is not in the spirit of democracy," the minister said in his Independence Day message.
In a tacit reference to the call by governor to observe the Partition Horrors Day on Aug14, the minister said that the country should dream not of the dark nights of partition, but of the bright dawns of freedom.
"On that tragic night of Partition, in the blood- and tear-soaked soil, Mahatma Gandhi walked barefoot through the streets of Noakhali carrying his message of peace, giving out the message not of the horrors of Partition but of unity, tolerance and brotherhood amidst diversity," the minister added.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes
,,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 18th August 2025
'Vote chori' charge likely to be game changer The Election Commission's conduct and its conduct of electoral roll revision and elections and the BJP's defence of the Election Commission have become a burning issue. The phrase, 'vote chori', described as 'improper' by the Election Commission, now has wide currency. It resonates with the people as 'Bofors' and '2G' once did. Now the BJP and the Election Commission find themselves on the receiving end of the Opposition's campaign for transparency in the poll process. If the momentum that the campaign gains is anything to go by, it could turn out to be a game-change and BJP's nemesis. Few people believe that the Election Commission does not differentiate between political parties. Both the Election Commission and the BJP speak the same language. The claim of 'vote chori' is not an insult to the Constitution, but the fact of vote chori, if proven with evidence, is. More and more people come to believe that all is not right with the way the electoral rolls are prepared and elections are held. The fear of disenfranchise looms large. Voter manipulation is no ordinary crime in a democracy. The Election Commission cannot afford to be seen as complicit in the crime. Even in its press conference held to counter the Opposition vote fraud charge, other than saying that the Opposition is trying to fearmonger and mislead the people and using the images of voters for political gain is unethical and invoking the paramountcy of the privacy of voters to justify its opacity, the Election Commission has given no convincing answers to valid questions and shown no willingness to take corrective action. The Rahul Gandhi-led Vote Adhikar Yatra is likely to bring enormous pressure on the poll body to rise above political considerations and perform its role as it should to restore its credibility and regain people's trust in it as a constitutional institution with independence, impartiality and integrity. G. David Milton,Maruthancode (TN) PM's adulation for RSS is demeaning The Kerala Chief Minister was spot-on in decrying the Prime Minister's public display of his adulation for the RSS during the latter's speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. The Prime Minister should have expressed his happiness at Indian independence, rising above compulsions. The RSS had practically no noteworthy role to play in the Independence struggle. Every kindergarten student is thorough with RSS' hand-in-glove involvement with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi for which the organisation was subsequently outlawed. Dr. George Jacob,Kochi Kyiv-Moscow direct peace a distinct possibility Though the contents of a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on ceasefire in Ukraine remains vague, the nearly three-hour summit in Alaska, ended with Trump calling for a direct peace pact between Kyiv and Moscow bypassing the ceasefire route long advocated by Ukraine and its Western allies seems a distinct possibility. India welcomed the summit terming the pursuit of peace is commendable. Trump's earlier announced 25% secondary tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil may be deferred. The tariff deadline could quietly lapse to India's advantage. Trump's announcement that India had already stopped buying Russian oil raised eyebrows – since India is ready to deal with any eventuality arising out of the irrational US reaction on India's exports to that country. S Lakshmi,Hyderabad Fabulous fifty for Rajinikanth in Indian cinema The one and only 'Style Mannan (style king) ' and the only ' Thalaivar (leader) ' of Tamil film industry and Indian cinema Shivaji Rao Gaikwad alias Superstar Rajini Kanth celebrates fifty years of cinema this week. Making his debut in 1975 in eminent director K Balachandars 'apoorva ragangal' (the film was released on 18th August 1975 ) the living legend is truly a lesson to be read, inspired and emulated. His ups and downs of life, his super stardom, his spiritualism, his simple life, humbleness and his rising as a phoenix every time there was a low is some sort of a motivational book from which lessons can be learned. His sterling performance and unique style of acting, his mesmerising screen presence, his voice and dialogue, his bond with his fans, his stint as an entertainer on screen - make him the 'Super Style star of Indian cinema'. Many of us belong to a generation that grew watching the super duper hits of this 'young man who never turns old', though he's nearing his 75 this December!'. None can forget his power-packed film flicks like Mullum malarum, Billa, Annamalai, Enthiran, Thalapathy, Hum, Baasha, Jailer and an endless list of around 170 movies in a career spanning over five decades, and this includes films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam making him a pan Indian star. M Pradyu, Kannur
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
BJP flays Congress for ‘baseless attacks' on Election Commission
Hyderabad: The Telangana BJP on Sunday came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his allies for their 'reckless and irresponsible' accusations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), terming them a deliberate attempt to erode public trust in a constitutionally mandated institution. BJP State Chief Spokesperson and Media In-charge Subash blasted the Opposition, reminding them that it would serve the democratic process better if they cooperated with the Commission instead of casting baseless aspersions. He said: 'As per the Constitution of India, every citizen who attains the age of 18 has the right to be a voter and exercise his or her franchise. The CEC has already made it abundantly clear that the Commission is committed to ensuring this. Ironically, every political party—including those making noise today—is itself born through registration with the Election Commission. How then can the same Commission be accused of discrimination among political parties?' He said the truth was being wilfully twisted. The Election Commission has reiterated that the SIR process is being carried out in Bihar with full participation of district-level party representatives and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) nominated by the same parties now crying foul. If their state or national leaders are 'unaware' of these facts, the BJP said, it only exposes a communication gap within their own ranks—or worse, a calculated attempt to manufacture confusion. The BJP leader also took a swipe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, recalling how he was caught in a controversy regarding his own vote. 'When confronted with evidence of alleged double voting, neither he nor his party could provide any proof,' Subash said, adding that this exposes the hollowness of Opposition charges. The BJP leader asserted that neither the Election Commission nor India's voters will be cowed down by such 'manufactured slander.' The party reiterated that the ECI has stood, and will continue to stand, 'like a rock' with every voter—rich or poor, youth or elderly, men or women, cutting across caste, creed, and religion—without fear or favour. 'The Congress and its allies may attempt to play politics by putting the voter's trust at gunpoint, but they will fail. The Indian voter is too wise to fall for Rahul Gandhi's theatrics. The credibility of the Election Commission remains intact, and so does the faith of the people of India in free and fair elections,' he added.
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
BJP leader slams Rahul's remarks on RSS, wants him to apologise
Hyderabad: BJP Telangana's vice-president Dr. N.V.S.S. Prabhakar strongly criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), made in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech. Addressing the media on Sunday, Dr. Prabhakar defended the Prime Minister's praise of the RSS, citing historical instances where the organization played a pivotal role in national service. He recalled that during the 1962 Sino-Indian war, RSS volunteers assisted the Indian Army, prompting then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to invite them to participate in the Republic Day Parade of 1963. 'Nehru himself acknowledged their patriotism,' Prabhakar stated, 'and this is recorded in parliamentary history.' He further referenced former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Lok Sabha speech, which highlighted RSS contributions during the Indo-Pak wars, including traffic control and emergency relief in Delhi. 'If these facts were untrue, Parliament would have objected. But no one did,' he asserted. Dr. Prabhakar also invoked the legacy of national icons such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, both of whom had reportedly attended RSS camps and praised the organization's discipline and commitment to social harmony. He noted that even former President Pranab Mukherjee had commended the RSS during a visit to Nagpur. Turning his attention to Rahul Gandhi, Prabhakar accused the Congress leader of lacking historical awareness and political maturity. 'Under his leadership, the Congress has shrunk into a regional party, plagued by corruption and dynastic politics,' he said. He alleged that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are out on bail and questioned their moral authority to lead the nation. He further criticized the Congress for what he described as minority appeasement and a departure from its earlier inclusive stance. 'When the cow and calf symbol was used, the country saw stable governance. After switching to the hand symbol, the party began to decline,' he remarked. Dr. Prabhakar demanded a public apology from Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the RSS, stating that such remarks insult the patriotic spirit of India. 'The people must see through this political bankruptcy,' he said, 'and reject leaders who undermine national unity.'
