A group of 42 retired judges has defended the Election Commission of India amid continuing opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In an open letter addressed to the people of India, the former judges described the revision exercise as lawful and expressed concern over what they termed a sustained campaign against constitutional institutions.

The signatories include former Supreme Court judges as well as former chief justices and judges of several high courts. They said they did not represent or support any political party but felt compelled to speak out as they believed the criticism of constitutional authorities had gone beyond ordinary democratic scrutiny. They argued that institutions such as the Election Commission and judiciary should be questioned through reasoned criticism rather than personal attacks.

On the SIR exercise, the former judges said electoral law gives the Election Commission the authority to undertake revision of electoral rolls. They also pointed to previous revisions conducted since the first general elections, noting that such exercises had been undertaken repeatedly in the past. The judges argued that the current revision should therefore be viewed within the legal framework governing electoral rolls.

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The intervention comes as opposition parties continue their protests against the Election Commission and Gyanesh Kumar. INDIA bloc leaders have alleged that the electoral-roll revision could benefit the BJP and have sought the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, allegations that have been rejected by both the BJP and the Election Commission. The dispute has led to a series of demonstrations by opposition leaders in New Delhi this week.

The former judges also criticised what they described as attempts to portray constitutional authorities as compromised or politically motivated without sufficient evidence. They warned that repeated attacks on institutions could undermine public confidence in the democratic system. At the same time, their letter acknowledged that criticism of public institutions remains a legitimate part of democratic debate.

The letter comes as the political dispute over electoral-roll revisions remains active, with opposition leaders continuing to question the Election Commission's handling of the SIR process. The judges' statement adds a prominent legal perspective to the debate, while the wider controversy is expected to continue through political and judicial channels.

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