JMM urges SC to declare SIR unconstitutional
Election Commission of India
for taking up SIR (Special Intensive Revision) in Bihar and has termed it as an ill-advised move. Speaking to media in Dharwad JMM chief and anti-graft activist SR Hiremath urged the
Supreme Court of India
to declare SIR as unconstitutional and uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
He stated that SIR violates Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution, as it contravenes the provisions of the Representation of the People's Act, 1950, and Rule 21A of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. If SIR is not set aside by the SC, it can arbitrarily and without due process disenfranchise crores of voters (as much as 30 to 50% of the country) from electing their representatives, thereby disrupting free and fair elections and democracy in the country, which are part of basic structure of the Constitution, Hiremath said.
"This would be totally against the bold experiment of Universal Franchise pledged by our Founding Fathers, who enshrined it in Constitution will be negated. It is important to identify and expose the powers that be, who have made the ECI do this 'retrograde' and 'dangerous move' of the ECI," he added.
Dropping land acquisition
The JMM, Citizens for Democracy (CFD) and NCPNR fully support the satyagraha of the 13 villages of Channapattana Hobli (Devanahalli Taluka, Bengaluru Rural Dist) 'Bhoo Swadheena Virodhi Horata' and call upon the state govt and the chief minister, who when in the opposition, had promised that, if voted to power, they would cancel the acquisition proceedings of the KIADB to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile lands of the farmers in 13 villages.
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"Siddaramaiah reiterated his promise to the Samyukta Horata members during a meeting, that he would need additional time until July 15 to overcome legal hurdles and confirming the next meeting. The govt should quash the land acquisition process and protect the interests of the farmers by protecting their fertile lands", Hiremath demanded.
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