New Delhi, Nov 19 (NationPress) A collective of 272 distinguished citizens, including former judges, ambassadors, retired bureaucrats, and veterans of the Armed Forces, has strongly criticized the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi for their persistent attacks on constitutional institutions, particularly the Election Commission of India (ECI).

This prominent group articulated their deep concerns in an open letter on Wednesday, highlighting multiple instances where Congress leaders have disparaged and insulted key democratic institutions such as the Armed Forces, Judiciary, Parliament, and now the ECI.

They asserted that the Leader of Opposition, alongside Left allies, has resorted to rhetoric aimed at discrediting the Election Commission, rather than pursuing legal avenues to address any perceived irregularities.

“The LoP has continually attacked the Election Commission, claiming to possess absolute proof of its involvement in vote theft and asserting he has 100% evidence of misconduct. His language has been strikingly coarse, suggesting that what he has uncovered is an atom bomb, and when it detonates, the ECI will have nowhere to hide. He has even threatened that anyone in the Election Commission involved in this alleged misconduct will face consequences. He accuses the ECI of engaging in treason,” the letter elaborated.

The letter, endorsed by Justice S.N. Dhingra, a former judge of the Delhi High Court, and Nirmal Kaur, IPS, a former DGP of Jharkhand, counts among its signatories numerous former Supreme Court and High Court judges, ex-diplomats, retired bureaucrats, and several Armed Forces veterans.

In a reflection on the behavior of political parties, particularly Congress, in the aftermath of electoral defeats, the letter stated, “When political leaders become disconnected from the aspirations of the common people, they attack institutions rather than working to restore their credibility. Theatrics replace analysis. Public spectacle overshadows public service.

The letter criticized the selective indignation of political parties following electoral losses, suggesting it reveals their opportunism.

It noted that when election outcomes favor opposition parties, they are deemed fair; however, when results are adverse, the poll panel is vilified.

The citizens backing the Election Commission urged it to maintain its commitment to transparency and rigor, emphasizing that the integrity of electoral rolls is a matter of national significance, not a partisan issue.

“We call on the Election Commission to persist in its transparency and rigor. It should publish comprehensive data, defend itself through appropriate legal channels when needed, and reject politics masquerading as victimhood,” they stated.

The civil society appealed to political leaders to honor the constitutional process and accept the outcomes of elections with dignity while reaffirming their unwavering faith in various constitutional institutions, which have faced criticism from the opposition, including the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Judiciary, the Executive, and specifically, the Election Commission.