Hyderabad: Actor and social commentator Prakash Raj demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation over the voter list revision process. He questioned the procedures used to verify voters and retain their names.
Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Saturday, Prakash Raj said authorities checked electoral rolls every year. He claimed he had not known about the Special Intensive Revision before its introduction.
The actor questioned why people should apply again for their voting rights while they were still alive. He also questioned the authorities over alleged illegal infiltration.
If illegal entrants had existed for years, Prakash Raj asked what action authorities had taken during that period. He questioned the Union Home Ministry about measures taken against infiltration.
The actor asked whether the overall voter count should not remain broadly unchanged when authorities shifted names between locations. He also questioned whether officials could remove a voter’s name simply because the person was unavailable at home.
Prakash Raj alleged that migrant workers lost their names after leaving their homes in search of employment. He further alleged that removing Dalit and Muslim votes formed the main agenda behind the electoral exercise.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation linked to wider constitutional concerns
Prakash Raj also criticised the approach of the present rulers. He alleged that the rulers were trying to undermine the Constitution and democracy.
Calling for public action, he said people should take to the streets to protect freedom and constitutional values. He said the country needed a major movement similar to Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha.
The actor said the campaign should extend beyond protecting voting rights. He said citizens must also defend freedom, equality and other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Prakash Raj said citizens did not need to depend on political parties for the campaign. Instead, he urged people to respond independently and express their opposition.
Referring to the electoral roll verification process and developments in the country, he urged citizens to speak out in defence of the Constitution. He called for public participation in protecting constitutional values.
He reiterated his demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar resignation and called for action against the Chief Election Commissioner. Prakash Raj also referred to the recent Ganesh immersion while making the demand.