Download Your Admit Card for Allahabad High Court Private Secretary Exam
The Allahabad High Court has released the admit card for the Private Secretary Grade-I examination scheduled for November 17, 2026. Candidates can easily download their admit cards from the official website by following a few simple steps. This article provides a detailed guide on how to access the admit card and important information regarding the examination format and locations. Ensure you verify your details after downloading the admit card to avoid any discrepancies on exam day.
Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to Nehru, says attacks show his legacy
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday hailed Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, saying the fact that he is still attacked by those who seek to destroy the Constitution and democracy more than 60 years after his death is a testament to his steadfast commitment to India. Paying tributes to India's first Prime Minister, the Wayanad MP said Nehru was that unique human being - a revolutionary, a visionary and a builder. The fact that he is still attacked by those who seek to destroy our constitution and our democracy more than sixty years after his death is a testament to his steadfast commitment to India, she said on X May his love for our country guide us for always, she added. Nehru was born on this day in 1889 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
PM Modi pays tributes to first prime minister Nehru on birth anniversary
New Delhi, Nov 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on his birth anniversary. Nehru was born on this day in 1889 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Paying tribute to former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, Modi posted on X.
Trishul, Damru, Nandi to add selfie appeal to Magh Mela grounds
HC sets 4-wk deadline for defence ministry to decide on temple removal in Jhansi
MNNIT develops universal solar pump controller for rural India
Pratapgarh cops return 147 lost mobiles to owners
Man held for poisoning two minors, one dead
Housing restrictions ease with govts nod to Master Plan amendments
Pratapgarh amla products gain global spotlight at IITF 2024
Four-day Chhath festival begins with Nahay Khay rituals
Ahead of Magh Mela, 5.5 cr penalty imposed for STP project delay
Allahabad HC flags indefinite freezing of bank accounts after cyber fraud
The Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over indefinite freezing of bank accounts of people after their identities and personal details are misused by cybercriminals. A Lucknow bench of justices Rajan Roy and Subhash Vidyarthi on Thursday asked the Centre to devise an effective mechanism to address such cases, observing that gullible citizens should not be left trapped in the aftermath of cybercrimes committed using their details. The bench impleaded the home ministry in a petition filed by a builder whose bank accounts have remained frozen. It directed Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey, appearing for the Union government, to obtain instructions and file an affidavit in response. The matter will be heard after four weeks. In its order, the bench said, We would like the concerned ministries/departments to come-up with a solution to such problems where gullible citizens are caught in a trap by the cyber criminals and their details are used by the latter for committi
The Allahabad High Court Private Secretary Admit Card 2026 has been released by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on 13 November 2026. Candidates who applied for the Private Secretary Grade-I Recruitment Examination 2026 under Advertisement No. 01/Private Secretary Grade-I/2026 can download their Stage-I hall tickets through the official DigiALM login portal.
Ghats decorated, markets decked up for Chhath festivities
Basic shiksha secy faces contempt proceedings in HC
Funds released for open prison facilities: UP to HC
1,199 potato farmers get 52.6L relief in Prayagraj
Gangster carrying 50,000 reward held in Jabalpur
743 orgs that took Mela land but set up no camp to be blacklisted
PDA to beautify, redevelop Civil Lines roads
Man held for assaulting sister-in-law, causing fetal death
Allahabad HC Slams Slow Open Jails Rollout in UP, Seeks Clear Timeline
Govt blocked 129 betting sites on fake High Court orders, FIR filed
New Delhi:Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a case against unidentified persons after the Allahabad High Court found that an order carrying its name, used by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to block 95 betting websites, was forged. It is one of two instances this year in which the DoT asked internet service providers to block Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
MNNIT Allahabad Junior Research Fellow or Project Associate I Recruitment 2026
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad (MNNIT Allahabad) has published the Recruitment 2026 notification for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or Project Associate-I. Offline applications will be accepted till 04 December 2026. For complete details, candidates can visit mnnit.ac.in.
UP Police register FIR over forged Allahabad High Court order used to block 95 websites
Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons after a purportedly forged Allahabad High Court order was allegedly used to procure the blocking of 95 websites by the Union government, raising concerns over the misuse of judicial documents to secure online content restrictions. The case has been registered under Sections 318(2), 336(2), 336(3), [] The post UP Police register FIR over forged Allahabad High Court order used to block 95 websites appeared first on India Legal .
Admins intensifies preparations for Chhath festival
STF nabs wanted gangster from Kanpur nagar
2 cops sent to lines on extortion charges
AIIMS-like facility is must for Prayagraj: Ujjwal Raman
Pratapgarh cops arrest 2 criminals
Devotees celebrate 'Yam Dwitiya'
Prayagraj Metro DPR sent for approval, 2 corridors proposed at Rs 15,758 crore
Govt blocked 129 betting sites on court orders that turned out to be fake
Reuters found that two fake High Court orders led the government to direct internet providers to block 129 betting websites, prompting the Allahabad High Court to file a police complaint.
India blocked 129 betting websites on basis of fake high court orders: Report
India's government ordered internet providers to block 129 betting websites based on fraudulent high court orders. Investigations have been initiated after it was revealed that these court orders were fake. The Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts confirmed that the supposed orders did not exist in their records. Concerns about the authenticity of legal documents are growing due to technology advancements.
India blocked 129 betting websites on basis of fake high court orders: Report
India's government ordered internet providers to block 129 betting websites based on fraudulent high court orders. Investigations have been initiated after it was revealed that these court orders were fake. The Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts confirmed that the supposed orders did not exist in their records. Concerns about the authenticity of legal documents are growing due to technology advancements.
Govt aims to turn 51,000 artisans into entrepreneurs
39 history sheets closed In Fatehpur
Prayagraj air quality deteriorates sharply after Diwali, AQI hits 248
Sansarpur villagers celebrate Diwali with trees, promote eco awareness
Prayagraj celebrates Diwali with lights, puja and festive spirit
Akhara Parishad prioritizes young seers for Mahamandaleshwar title
UP Board begins dispatch of answer sheets
SRN hosp treats over 100 Diwali emergency cases
Key accused in 2007 Rampur CRPF camp attack case shot dead
Mohammad Sharif, an accused in the 2007 Rampur CRPF camp terror attack case whose death penalty was previously set aside by the Allahabad High Court, was shot dead on Tuesday. The incident has drawn political reactions, with a BJP MLA alleging former minister Azam Khan's support for the accused. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea challenging the High Court's verdict in the original terror case.
'Congress anxious due to shrinking vote bank': NDA hits out at Ashok Gehlot's 2029 LS polls remark
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday lashed out at senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over his remarks that if the NDA comes to power at the Centre in 2029, democratic elections may never take place again in India, saying that the grand old party is anxious due to its shrinking vote bank. Gehlot made the remarks on Monday, adding that the proposed delimitation exercise is a greater concern than the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson Prem Shukla cited late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's election being declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court in 1975, which was followed by the imposition of the Emergency. Mr Gehlot, Indira Gandhi, under whose shadow you entered politics, imposed the Emergency to remain in power after the Allahabad High Court ruled that she had won the election through unfair means. If any party in this country has committed the crime of cancelling elections, it is your Congress party. The BJP is a party that strengthens constitutional democracy, he said. Moreover, he asked the Congress leader not to spread umours. BJP MLA Ram Kadam said: We are repeatedly stating that the Congress party cannot compete against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2029. Even if they contest, they cannot sustain or win. It is precisely this fear and dread within their leaders that is driving them to try and spread misconceptions. Now, this very statement of ours has been validated by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot ji himself, he remarked. Giving examples of BJP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey said: Elections are still taking place, right? He claimed that the Congress leader is facing anxiety because the party's vote bank is gradually shrinking further and further. You are unable to win elections; your leader Rahul (Gandhi) ji has lost more than 100 elections. While people set records for winning, records are being set for losing here. Don't panic over thisdrink some water, take a deep breath, and practise yoga. Gehlot Sahab, you are a very senior leader, and you have also been a magician. Show some magic!, Dubey said, taking a jibe at the former CM. Adding to the criticism, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said that the generation of Congress leaders represented by Ashok Gehlot has witnessed the erosion of democracy within the Congress and seen how democracy was suppressed in the country. They have also seen how the Congress government introduced laws according to its own wishes, he told IANS.
Insubordination does not by itself cast doubt on judicial officer
The Supreme Court has held that insubordination, behavioural issues or strained relations with members of the Bar cannot, by themselves, form the basis for branding a judicial officers integrity as doubtful, observing that questions of judicial temperament must be distinguished from allegations of dishonesty. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya [] The post Insubordination does not by itself cast doubt on judicial officers integrity: Supreme Court rejects Allahabad High Court administrations plea appeared first on India Legal .
Allahabad High Court orders UP Government to pay over
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay compensation exceeding 15 lakh to a vehicle owner whose commercial vehicle was seized and subsequently confiscated on suspicion of transporting cattle for slaughter, without sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation. Justice Sandeep Jain, while allowing a petition filed by Tej Prakash in Tej [] The post Allahabad High Court orders UP Government to pay over 15 lakh compensation for illegal seizure of vehicle on cattle slaughter suspicion appeared first on India Legal .
Allahabad HC orders release of illegally detained UP resident, criticises police over missing CCTV footage and civil liberties violations.
Attempted to kill me: SP MLA Indrajeet Saroj booked after BJP leader's complaint in Kaushambi
Civil liberties situation in UP shameful, police have little regard for citizen
Prayagraj, Nov 8 (PTI) Hearing a habeas corpus petition, the Allahabad High Court has observed that the civil liberties situation in UP is shameful and police have little regard for citizens fundamental rights. Taking serious note of the excuse of malfunctioning CCTVs whenever a court demands it, the bench, hearing a habeas corpus plea, said it would be sufficient to accept the petitioners contention that he had been unlawfully detained and that the CCTV footage was deliberately withheld to obfuscate the truth maliciously. A bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev allowed the habeas corpus writ petition and
Indira Marathon revives half-marathon event after nearly 30 years
Man bludgeons wife to death over affair suspicion in Prayagraj, held
Temple visits, processions mark Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in city
5 more dialysis machines at SRN Hosp to cut wait time
Asst teacher application deadline extended again after HC order
Teachers can be assigned poll-related work: HC
HC: UP Police has little regard for fundamental rights, civil liberties
Allahabad High Court slams U.P. Police over routine violations of fundamental rights
Ordering the release of a petitioner whose family alleged that he was forcibly picked up by police in plain clothes on September 5, the Bench says police appear to have little regard for constitutional freedoms
'All mafias are associated with BJP': SP hits back at Nitin Nabin over remarks on Azam Khan
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) President Nitin Nabin's remarks on SP leader Azam Khan, who is currently in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case, saying all mafias and goons are associated with the BJP and are seen alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This comes after Nabin, during an exclusive interview with IANS, accused the SP leadership of pursuing vote-bank politics by standing with people associated with criminal elements. These are the same people who gave Uttar Pradesh the identity of 'One District, One Mafia'. During the Samajwadi Party government, every district had a strongman, and they used these figures to gain and maintain power, Nabin said, responding to SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav's claims of injustice against Azam Khan. Reacting to Nabin's remarks, SP MLA Sangram Yadav said: All the mafias are associated with the BJP and are seen alongside CM Yogi Adityanath. Can't you see who the mafia from Varanasi is sitting with? Who the mafias from Jaunpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Deoria and Allahabad are associated with? Do you only see PDA members as mafias? Can't you see people from Yogi Adityanath ji's own community as mafias? He questioned the BJP about who is a mafia, and what are the criteria for identifying one. The Allahabad High Court questioned how these people obtained licences. One of them even displayed 500 weapons on Dussehra. Did the Chief Minister not notice it?...It is the BJP which is the party of mafias, goons and corruption, Sangram Yadav remarked while speaking to IANS. Citing the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, SP MLA Jai Kishan Sahu asserted that the people of Uttar Pradesh will respond to all such statements in the 2027 elections by bringing the Samajwadi Party to power. While maintaining that everyone is entitled to their opinion, Sahu told IANS, The people of Uttar Pradesh are watching everything closely. Voters would give a strong reply in the 2027 Assembly elections and elect an Akhilesh Yadav-led government...under both the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, young people are roaming in search of jobs, while students demanding employment opportunities are being met with police batons. Meanwhile, BJP MP Prakash Pal backed the BJP Chief Nabin over his criticism of the Samajwadi Party. Speaking to IANS, Pal said: There were people like Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansari, Azam Khan and countless others. There used to be at least one mafia in every district, whose muscle power was used to illegally occupy people's land and properties. Look at their old photographs and records. Judges would refuse to hear cases involving Atiq Ahmed, and he would even hold police personnel hostage. In Mukhtar Ansari's case, a pond was reportedly built inside the jail so he could eat fresh fish, and the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police would visit him in jail to play badminton. That was the kind of influence these mafias enjoyed, he claimed, adding that under CM Adityanath's government such mafias have been completely eliminated.
New Delhi, Nov 07: Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), filling the key position that had been held on an officiating basis since July 2026, according to a report by Livelaw. Justice Bindal, who served as a judge of the Supreme Court from February 13, 2023, to April 15, 2026, succeeds the interim arrangement under which Justice Yogesh Khanna had been discharging the duties of NCLAT chairperson following the completion of Justice Ashok Bhushan's tenure. Justice Bindal brings with him extensive judicial experience across several High Courts. He was elevated to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2006 before being transferred to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in 2018. During his tenure in Jammu and Kashmir, he also served as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court in December 2020. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Calcutta High Court in January 2021 and assumed charge as its Acting Chief Justice in April 2021. He took the oath as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on October 11, 2021, before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2023. After retiring from the Supreme Court, he was appointed as Emeritus Professor at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and joined Galgotias University School of Law as an Honorary Distinguished Jurist. His appointment marks the end of the interim arrangement at the appellate tribunal, which deals with appeals arising from orders passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Prayagraj to have first automated pumping station to tackle waterlogging
Admin approves 731 temporary firecracker shops for Diwali
Post-Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj draws big-ticket hospitality investments
UP to train farmers for direct exports, aims to cut out middlemen
PMC begins maze-themed Miyawaki park project
Festive shine in Shahganj as Diwali shoppers opt for Indian decor
HC orders FIR against IO over tampered arrest documents, frees accused
MNNIT Allahabad Junior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad (MNNIT Allahabad) has invited offline applications for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF). Applications can be submitted till 27 November 2026. For complete details, candidates can visit mnnit.ac.in.
MNNIT scholar develops AI tool for 3D crime scene reconstruction
The High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has officially released the Allahabad High Court Private Secretary City Intimation Slip 2026 on 6 November 2026 for the Private Secretary Grade-I Recruitment Examination 2026. The Stage-I examination is scheduled for 17 November 2026 for recruitment to 195 Private Secretary Grade-I vacancies under Advertisement No. 01/Private Secretary Grade-I/2026. Candidates can check their allotted examination city through the official DigiALM candidate-login facility.
Price drop sparks gold, silver rush in jewellery stores
Indigenous goods capture 68% of Prayagrajs festive market
Shoppers throng city markets for Diwali shopping
Launch skill development programmes at UPRTOU: Guv
No FIR against Rahul Gandhi over Sikh remarks in US, says Alld HC
Airtel Nxtra to set up Rs 220cr, 10 MW data centre in Prayagraj
Allahabad HC junks petition against Rahul Gandhi over alleged remarks on Sikhs
Prayagraj, Aug 5 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Thursday provided relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, refusing to overturn a Varanasi court order rejecting an application for an FIR against him over his alleged remarks on Sikhs during his US visit in 2024. The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Varanasi on October 17, 2025 rejected the application of petitioner Nageshwar Mishra to register a case against Gandhi for his alleged statement. Newspaper reports quoted Gandhi as saying that Sikhs are not feeling safe in India. Mishra filed a revision petition before the sessions court which also dismissed it on
HC refuses FIR against Rahul Gandhi over Sikh remarks in US
The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleged remarks made about Sikhs during his US visit. The court upheld previous rejections by Varanasi courts, citing a lack of specific details regarding the alleged statement.
Allahabad HC Rejects Plea Against Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Remarks on Sikhs
Justice Vikram D Chauhan dismissed the petition after observing that the sole allegation against Gandhi was of news published in some newspapers about his alleged statement made during his US visits for which no date, time or place have been given.
Supreme Court sends Azam Khan's plea against ED arrest to Allahabad High Court
The Supreme Court has sent Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Allahabad High Court. Khan has alleged that the agency...
The Allahabad High Court has expressed strong disapproval of protesting advocates allegedly obstructing access to a courtroom and preventing court staff from entering through its main entrance, observing that judicial functioning cannot be brought to a standstill because lawyers choose to abstain from their professional duties. A Division Bench comprising Justice Ajay Bhanot and Justice [] The post Allahabad High Court says court proceedings cannot be held hostage by lawyers protest, takes exception to blocking of Courtroom entry appeared first on India Legal .
SC transfers Azam Khan's bail plea to Allahabad HC
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's bail application in a new money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The apex court transferred the petition to the Allahabad High Court, requesting it to schedule a hearing before a division bench on November 16 and issue interim orders on the same day. Khan's lawyer, Kapil Sibal, alleged political motivation behind the ED's actions, stating his arrest was timed to keep him incarcerated during elections.
Supreme Court asks Allahabad HC to give Azam Khan priority hearing
The Supreme Court has asked the High Court to hear the case on November 16; Azam Khan alleges series of politically motivated cases
Supreme Court directs Allahabad High Court to hear Azam Khan
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Allahabad High Court to take up Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohammad Azam Khans plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 16. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi transferred the matter to the High [] The post Supreme Court directs Allahabad High Court to hear Azam Khans plea challenging ED arrest on November 16 appeared first on India Legal .
Questioning Democratic Institutions
The Congress party's relentless campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls exposes a familiar pattern in its political conduct: questioning democratic institutions whenever their functioning does not suit its political narrative. A party that has spent years questioning electoral transparency and accusing others of undermining democracy now finds itself uncomfortable with an exercise designed to strengthen the very foundation of free and fair elections. For Congress, electoral reforms appear welcome only when they serve its political interests. When duplicate entries, deceased voters and questionable registrations are discussed by opposition leaders, they become legitimate concerns. But when the Election Commission undertakes a nationwide exercise to identify and correct such discrepancies, the same party raises the alarm and turns an administrative process into a political controversy. The Special Intensive Revision is not an exercise designed to benefit the BJP or any other political formation. Its fundamental objective is to ensure that electoral rolls reflect genuine voters, remove erroneous entries and protect the integrity of the democratic process. A clean electoral roll is the starting point of a credible election, and no responsible political party should oppose that objective. SIR is about cleaning electoral rolls, not deleting democracy The figures emerging from the exercise underline its scale and administrative effort. Across the states where SIR was undertaken, voters were provided between 100 and 158 days, or approximately four to five months, to complete the enumeration process. Of the country's approximately 95 crore voters, nearly 82 crore, accounting for around 88 per cent, submitted their Enumeration Forms. Approximately 13 crore entries were placed under the ASDD classification Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate during the preparation of revised electoral rolls. The reported figures included approximately 2.89 crore deceased voters and 1.01 crore duplicate entries. The remaining cases involved voters who were absent, had shifted or could not be traced during the verification exercise. These numbers demand serious attention. Electoral rolls cannot remain static documents carrying the names of people who have died, permanently shifted or registered at multiple locations. Such discrepancies undermine the credibility of elections and create avoidable complications in the voting process. The exercise involved extensive field-level verification. Booth Level Officers (BLOs), along with political party functionaries, reportedly made three visits to voters' residences to collect enumeration forms and verify entries. This was not simply an administrative exercise conducted behind closed doors; it involved extensive ground-level participation. Importantly, exclusion from a draft roll does not mean that a genuine voter has permanently lost the right to vote. Eligible individuals can seek inclusion through Form 6, subject to the prescribed verification process. The Election Commission has also provided opportunities for claims and objections to ensure that eligible citizens are not unfairly excluded. Congress has particularly questioned Form 7, the statutory mechanism for seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls. However, the figures cited in the BJP's compilation indicate that approximately 29 lakh names were deleted through Form 7 across a voter population of 95 crore. These applications included submissions by political parties such as the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD and BSP, besides individual voters. If Form 7 is a statutory procedure, its use cannot automatically be portrayed as electoral manipulation. Political parties across the spectrum have the right to flag duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries. What matters is whether every application is examined according to law and whether affected voters receive an opportunity to respond. At the same time, more than two crore voters reportedly registered their names through Form 6, demonstrating that the exercise also facilitated the inclusion of eligible citizens. The scale of participation is equally significant. More than nine lakh polling booths were covered, with over 11 lakh government officials, including IAS and PCS officers and teachers, involved in supervising and conducting the exercise. More than 35 lakh authorised political party representatives participated, including over nine lakh BJP Booth Level Agents (BLA-2s). The total number of people involved was approximately 46 lakh. This raises an important question for Congress: when representatives of different political parties, including Congress itself, participated in the exercise, is the party indirectly questioning the integrity of millions of its own functionaries by suggesting that the entire process facilitated vote theft? If Congress has specific evidence of wrongdoing, it should place it before the Election Commission and pursue the remedies available under electoral law. Political allegations cannot substitute for evidence. Congress's double standards exposed by its own leaders The contradiction in Congress's position becomes even more apparent when one examines the statements made by its own leaders on electoral revision. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had described SIR as useful in Kerala, referring to concerns about fake voting allegedly facilitated by the CPI(M). Congress MLA Matthew Kuzhalnadan also spoke about the removal of allegedly fake entries associated with the CPI(M), suggesting that the exercise could benefit electoral integrity. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the problems of duplicate registrations, deceased voters and multiple entries. He supported SIR provided it was conducted transparently and with the use of digital technology to improve electoral rolls. Similarly, Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot has maintained that people residing illegally in the country should be removed in accordance with the law. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, who has repeatedly questioned electoral rolls, had himself claimed in 2015 that Delhi had approximately 11 lakh duplicate voters. These statements establish an important point: the need to identify duplicate and ineligible entries is not a BJP-created argument. It has been acknowledged by leaders across the political spectrum. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, leaders associated with Congress-allied political formations have also described electoral revision as important for strengthening the democratic process. Why, then, does Congress change its position when the exercise is conducted on a larger scale? The party cannot demand clean electoral rolls in states where it sees political advantage and oppose the same principle elsewhere. Electoral transparency cannot be selective. A duplicate entry does not become legitimate because it benefits a particular political party, and a deceased voter's name cannot be retained merely to avoid political controversy. This selective outrage reflects a deeper political problem within Congress: its inability to distinguish between institutional reform and political competition. From the Emergency to Kashmir's 1987 elections, Congress's democratic credentials remain under scrutiny Congress's repeated attacks on the Election Commission must also be viewed against the party's own historical record. Its leadership frequently lectures the country on democratic values, but history contains several episodes that continue to raise uncomfortable questions about its commitment to democratic institutions. The 1975 Allahabad High Court judgment against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi remains a defining moment in India's electoral history. The court invalidated her election over electoral malpractices. Instead of accepting the political consequences, the country witnessed the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975. During the Emergency, democratic freedoms were curtailed, opposition leaders were jailed, press freedom was restricted and constitutional institutions came under extraordinary pressure. The episode remains one of the darkest chapters in independent India's democratic journey. Congress cannot selectively invoke democratic principles while ignoring this legacy. Jammu and Kashmir has its own painful chapter. The 1987 Assembly election, conducted under the Congress-National Conference alliance, remains associated with serious allegations of electoral malpractice and large-scale rigging. The controversy damaged public confidence in democratic institutions and left a lasting impression on generations of Kashmiris. For a region that has experienced prolonged political uncertainty and conflict, electoral credibility is not an abstract issue. People must have faith that their votes matter and that political participation can bring genuine change. The 1987 controversy remains a reminder of what happens when electoral institutions lose public trust. Congress should therefore exercise caution before assuming the role of an unquestionable guardian of democratic values. The party's history also includes confrontations over electoral institutions. In 1993, Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan challenged the appointment of two additional Election Commissioners and the provision for majority-based decisions. The Supreme Court upheld the three-member structure in 1995. In 2009, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami recommended the removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, alleging bias. The recommendation was not accepted by the then government, and Chawla subsequently became Chief Election Commissioner. These episodes demonstrate that institutional disagreements and questions of independence are not new to India's electoral history. However, they must be resolved through constitutional and legal processes, not through political campaigns designed to discredit institutions. A declining Congress cannot blame institutions for its political failures Congress's national electoral decline deserves serious introspection. Its vote share, which stood at approximately 45 per cent in the 1952 general election, fell to 21.4 per cent in 2024. This decline reflects changing voter preferences, organisational weaknesses, leadership challenges and the emergence of strong regional and national political alternatives. Instead of addressing these shortcomings, Congress appears increasingly dependent on allegations against institutions and political opponents. Since the BJP-led NDA government came to power in 2014, opposition parties have repeatedly questioned major policy decisions and institutional processes. Rafale, EVMs and now 'vote theft' have become recurring political themes. The opposition has every right to question the government and seek accountability. That is the essence of democracy. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and repeatedly creating suspicion around institutions without establishing wrongdoing. The Election Commission of India has, over the decades, overseen hundreds of Assembly elections and more than 20 general elections. It has evolved through successive reforms, from indelible ink and election observers to electronic voting machines and more comprehensive electoral-roll management. No institution should be above scrutiny, including the Election Commission. Transparency, accountability and institutional independence must remain non-negotiable. But criticism must be evidence-based, and genuine concerns must be addressed through established procedures. Strengthening electoral democracy must rise above party politics The BJP believes that electoral reforms must be continuous, transparent and free from political interference. A voter list containing the names of deceased persons, duplicate registrations and people who have permanently shifted cannot be considered a perfect electoral roll. At the same time, no eligible citizen should be deprived of voting rights because of administrative errors, migration, documentation difficulties or procedural shortcomings. Both objectives must go hand in hand. The Election Commission must ensure that every genuine voter gets an opportunity to establish eligibility, seek inclusion and challenge an incorrect deletion. Political parties must also participate constructively instead of turning every administrative exercise into a confrontation. The real measure of SIR will be the accuracy and inclusiveness of the final electoral rolls. The process must eliminate ineligible entries while protecting every eligible citizen's constitutional right to vote. Congress should stop treating every institutional reform as a political conspiracy. If it has evidence of wrongdoing, it must present it through appropriate legal and constitutional channels. Democracy is strengthened by accountability, not by manufactured suspicion. India's democracy belongs to its people, not to Congress, the BJP or any other political formation. Every genuine voter must have a place in the electoral roll, and every vote must carry equal value. The question Congress must answer is simple: if it believes in clean elections, why does it oppose a process whose stated objective is to make electoral rolls cleaner and more credible? Democracy cannot be held hostage to the political convenience of one party. Electoral reforms must serve the voter, not the vested interests of political organisations. Altaf Thakur, BJP J&K Spokesman
Haridwar Kumbh and Magh Mela dates clash, seers in fix
Purvanchal Startup Samvad 2026 concludes at PRSU, MoU signed with AKTU
NCR allots branded food outlets at Prayagraj and Kanpur stns
