The Supreme
Court’s judgment (on 27th September 2013), directing the Election Commission to
introduce ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ in electronic voting machines and also in
the ballot papers is a long-awaited reform in our Country’s cultural and
democratic Progress.
Who can
question the fundamental fact that in democracy, people are supreme? Their wish
and will must prevail. But this is yet
to be understood and enforced by the people, and adhered to by the
elected. The earlier this happens, the
better for the Nation and its advancement.
O People
of India, arise awake!
Do not
allow democracy to be crucified!
Realize
your democratic status, right and obligation!
When
Parliament, with sheer number game, poses to trample on propriety, dharma and values, Judiciary is the only
succor, we the people can seek and rely upon, under the Constitution as well as
under the sacrosanctness of Democracy.
Let the
elected know that all rights of the elected are derived from the people. The people
alone bestow the powers to them.
While voting
on crucial matters in the Parliament, the elected enjoy the freedom and privacy
to vote in Parliament as well as ‘walk off’ when they feel like (abstaining
from voting). But alas, they want to deny the people to say “none of the above”
in the ballot paper! How can the Administration ask for open return of the
ballot paper, with signature, thereby getting all clues and help to intimidate
the voters!
To ask the
voters to exercise their option openly, in front of the election officers, in contrast
to what the ‘other voters’ are doing will be to facilitate intimidation from Administration
as well as Political bosses. It
certainly interferes and tampers with the sanctity of the voters’ expression of
their option. By this the spirit and
purpose of democracy gets crucified.
Can the
elected deny the people, who have elected them, a right which they freely enjoy?
Is there any
worse travesty than this?
The
Constitution of the country was ‘given by the people to themselves’. Not by the Parliament. Parliament, election,
etc. came after the people gave and accepted the Constitution.
The ‘none of
the above’ option should be there, in all sanctity and appropriateness. And Parliament should not tamper with the
direction of the Supreme Court. Any Constitutional and National political party
should welcome Supreme Court’s judgment and, in all Constitutional allegiance,
honour and adhere to it.
Any
political party should want to have democratically enlightened and responsible
electorate. They should be willing to
abide by their wishes. Unwillingness, in any form, in this will instantly
disqualify them to be the true representatives of the people.
As a citizen
of India, it is the responsibility of each of us to ensure this. This is a
great moment of India’s history. India is the 14th country to have
this inclusion.
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
