Actor and activist Prakash Raj on Tuesday criticised political leaders for avoiding press conferences, saying that refusing to face journalists amounts to disrespecting citizens whose questions are raised through the media.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai on October 6, Raj said he was not associated with any political party but remained interested in people-centred politics. He said the Constitution expects citizens to participate in politics, while elected representatives are responsible for governance.
Raj Questions Leaders Over Press Conferences
Raj criticised political leaders for what he described as a lack of transparency and shrinking space for public protests.
“Why are you refusing to hold press meets? Why are you disrespecting and demeaning the press?” he asked.
He said elected representatives, including chief ministers and the prime minister, have a responsibility to answer questions raised by journalists on behalf of citizens.
Questions ECI Appointment Process
Raj also raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the process used to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner.
He questioned the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criticised the change in the composition of the selection panel, under which the Chief Justice of India was replaced by a Union minister.
Raj argued that the change had created what he described as an unfair 2:1 advantage for the ruling party on the panel.
He also criticised legal provisions concerning protection from legal proceedings for the Chief Election Commissioner, arguing that the safeguards provide extensive immunity during and after the tenure.
Raises Concerns Over Electoral Roll Revision
Raj also questioned the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
He alleged that voters were being excluded from electoral rolls under labels such as “absent” or “shifted” when they were not present at home during visits by officials.
According to Raj, people could be away because of work, hospitalisation or other reasons and should not automatically lose their voting rights as a result.
He also alleged that booth-level officers were facing administrative pressure and linked such pressure to cases of suicide. He further claimed that inadequate training and a lack of public awareness campaigns had added to the difficulties surrounding the revision process.
Allegations Over Election Process
Raj also accused authorities of failing to follow Supreme Court directions relating to the reporting of alleged foreign infiltrators.
He further alleged that election schedules had been manipulated in a way that allowed announcements by the prime minister before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
The allegations raised by Raj concern the functioning of electoral institutions and the conduct of the electoral-roll revision process. The Election Commission and the Union government have previously rejected allegations that the SIR process is intended to disenfranchise eligible voters.
