Ashish Shelar Criticises CJP Protest Over SIR, Says Objections Should Follow Constitutional Routes

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has criticised the protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that concerns about the exercise should be pursued through constitutional and legal mechanisms.

Speaking to reporters, Shelar said the Election Commission had publicly laid out the SIR schedule and procedures, including provisions relating to claims, objections, hearings and the documents required during the exercise. He argued that political parties and citizens had been given opportunities to raise concerns through the established process.

The minister questioned the need for street protests when institutional avenues were available to challenge aspects of the electoral-roll revision. He described the CJP’s agitation as a “grammar of anarchy”, invoking a phrase associated with B R Ambedkar’s 1949 Constituent Assembly speech on the use of constitutional methods.

Shelar said the SIR framework contains safeguards intended to ensure that eligible voters are not removed from electoral rolls without an opportunity to present their case. He urged opposition parties not to create uncertainty among voters over an administrative exercise being carried out by election officials across the country.

The CJP has, however, organised protests demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and greater scrutiny of the SIR process. Its October 2 programme in Mumbai was planned around Shivaji Park, while the organisation also announced a wider campaign across several cities.

The protest movement has emerged amid controversy surrounding the SIR exercise and an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on record on multiple occasions over decisions connected with the revision process. The Election Commission has acknowledged the existence of the notes but described them as part of its internal decision-making process.

Shelar said political parties including the Congress had repeatedly raised allegations against the BJP and the government over the electoral-roll exercise. He maintained that the Election Commission is an independent constitutional institution and said questions regarding its functioning should be addressed through the mechanisms available within the electoral and judicial system.

Referring to Ambedkar, Shelar said constitutional methods should be preferred when such avenues are available. He added that while the right to protest is an important democratic right, demonstrations should not, in his view, be used to undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions.

The CJP's October 2 protest in Mumbai went ahead amid heightened political attention over the issue. The organisation had earlier said it would continue its campaign until Gyanesh Kumar resigned. The group has also demanded an independent investigation into decisions taken during the SIR process and greater transparency in the appointment of election commissioners.

Shelar also criticised opposition parties over their objections to the Election Commission, alleging that questions were being raised selectively depending on electoral outcomes. He further alleged that the CJP protest was politically motivated.

The minister said objections to the SIR exercise should be submitted before the Election Commission or challenged through the courts rather than through what he described as an agitation aimed at creating distrust in the electoral system.