Letter to PM and Rahul Seeks Public Debate Between the Two
The letter further states that only allegations and challenges are heard from either side and not any ‘meaningful’ response.
Image Source: The Wire
Amid the brouhaha over the parliamentary election, allegations that are being leveled against the government and the opposition, hate speeches voiced in political rallies; former judge of the Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Justice Ajit P. Shah, and Mr. N. Ram, a senior journalist, penned an invitation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi, inviting both for a public debate. The letter addressing the duo approached with a proposal that is believed to be non-partisan and in the larger interest of every citizen.
The letter states that, while addressing the voters through political rallies, members of the BJP and INC posed important questions about constitutional democracy. It took note of the statements made by the Prime Minister challenging Congress over its stand on reservation, Article 370, wealth redistribution, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of the Congress party, posing questions to the PM on possible mutilation of the constitution, electoral bond scheme, response of government in tackling the China issues, and also challenged him (PM Modi) to a public debate. A barrage of questions about the respective manifestos of the aforementioned parties has been put forth by both sides, as well as their stand on the constitutionally protected scheme of social justice.
The letter further states that only allegations and challenges are heard from either side and not any ‘meaningful’ response.
“As members of the public, we are concerned that we have heard only allegations and challenges from either side, and not heard any meaningful responses. As we are aware, today’s digital world carries with it a propensity for misinformation, misrepresentation, and manipulation. In these circumstances, it is fundamentally important to ensure that the public is well educated about all aspects of the debate so they can make an informed choice at the ballot – this is central to the effective exercise of our electoral franchise,” the letter reads.
The three were of the viewpoint that the citizens would hugely benefit by hearing directly from the political leaders through public debate on a non-partisan and non-commercial platform. Such processes would strengthen the democratic processes and bear more relevance as we are the world’s largest democracy and the election in India is being watched carefully by the entire world.
The letter urging PM Modi and Mr. Gandhi to consider the request positively concluded by saying the venue, duration, format, moderators of the debate could be on the terms agreeable to both sides and may nominate a representative if either of the sides is unavailable to address the debate.
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