‘Spare India from anarchy’: Over 400 Indian-origin academics, students condemn anti-CEC protests

New Delhi: More than 400 Indian-origin students, researchers and alumni associated with universities across 27 countries have signed a statement condemning protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and what they describe as attempts to undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions.

Titled “Spare India from Anarchy,” the statement comes amid protests against the CEC and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The signatories warned against efforts to subvert constitutional democracy under the pretext of defending it.

Concerns over institutional trust

The statement argued that Indian democracy has repeatedly proved its resilience since independence. The signatories said constitutional institutions, checks and balances, and peaceful transfers of power have sustained the country’s democratic system.

“Unfortunately, a frenzy of election denial, relentless questioning of constitutional institutions, and a preference for ‘street over Sansad’ has gripped certain quarters,” the statement said.

It alleged that unfavourable election results had prompted questions about procedural integrity, while adverse judgments had drawn criticism of judicial independence. The signatories also objected to drawing the Armed Forces into partisan political discourse.

Appeal for constitutional methods

The signatories accused certain groups of using matters pending before courts to sow doubts about Indian democracy and amplify those concerns through street protests. While condemning the anti-CEC protests, the statement acknowledged that dissent plays an essential role in a democracy.

“We understand dissent is an essential ingredient of democracy, but we refuse to be silent spectators to the subversion of democratic apparatus in its guise.” Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar’s warning against abandoning constitutional methods, the signatories urged political and social groups to resolve differences through debate, discussion, dialogue and dissent within constitutional institutions.

Signatories across 27 countries

According to the accompanying release, the signatories span four continents. They currently live in or have studied in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel and the UAE.

Their affiliations include MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, the London School of Economics and the University of Toronto, among other institutions. The release clarified that these affiliations do not imply endorsement by the respective universities.