SIR strengthens democracy, protects constitutional values: Sat Sharma

Jammu, Dec 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday held a comprehensive meeting on Electoral Reforms and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) at the party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
The meeting was chaired by J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, along with General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul. BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari joined the deliberations virtually as a key resource person. The meeting was attended by BJP state office-bearers, party spokespersons, and other senior leaders.
During the session, participants collectively watched the address of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on electoral reforms and SIR and raised queries to gain deeper clarity on the issue.
Addressing the gathering, Sat Sharma reaffirmed that the BJP has always stood for free, fair, and transparent elections, which form the foundation of India’s democratic system. He said that Parliament remains the highest forum for debate and discussion, and the BJP has never hesitated to engage on sensitive and significant issues, including electoral reforms.
Sat Sharma emphasized that SIR is a constitutional and routine exercise conducted by the Election Commission under Articles 324, 325, 326, and 327 of the Constitution, aimed at ensuring that only eligible Indian citizens are included in electoral rolls. He stated that opposition to SIR by Congress and other parties effectively amounts to questioning the Constitution framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and undermining democratic institutions.
Presenting the organizational roadmap, Ashok Koul announced a structured series of programmes across districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He said awareness sessions, workshops for party workers, press interactions, and public outreach programmes would be organized to educate citizens on the constitutional validity and necessity of SIR. He stressed that party cadres would be equipped with factual material to counter misinformation and take the message of electoral purity and national security to the grassroots.
In his detailed presentation, Pradeep Bhandari highlighted what he termed as the opposition’s double standards and undemocratic conduct. He pointed out that Congress introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) but questions their credibility only after electoral defeats, while remaining silent when it wins. He recalled that the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld EVMs, and no opposition leader has successfully challenged them within the legally mandated 45-day period.
Bhandari further noted that SIR has been conducted multiple times since 1952, mostly under Congress governments, and was never opposed earlier. He explained that SIR aims at voter-list purification, removal of duplicate entries, deletion of names of deceased persons, inclusion of new eligible voters, and identification of illegal immigrants—steps essential to protect democracy and national security. He also criticized the opposition for walking out of debates on illegal immigration, questioning their credibility and intent. (KINS)