Chandigarh, September 21
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh has strongly objected to the reported detention of some elected councillors from Rajasthan in the Pinjore police station area, just ahead of the election for municipal body chiefs in Rajasthan. He said that stopping elected public representatives immediately before an election is a matter of serious concern and raises questions about the intent behind the police administration’s action. He demanded that the administration immediately clarify under which legal provision the councillors were stopped and on what grounds they were kept at the police station.
Singh said that, according to information received by the Congress, some elected councillors from Rajasthan were returning to the state from Himachal Pradesh. It has been alleged that a large number of police personnel and other individuals followed their vehicles in the Pinjore police station area, stopped them and took them to the police station. He said that if any person is facing a criminal or legal case, the police are free to take action in accordance with the law. However, stopping elected councillors just before an election and restricting their movement is a serious step that could affect the democratic process.
The PCC Chief alleged that the BJP government is attempting to suppress democratic institutions and elected representatives through the use of state power. He said that the action points towards what he described as the BJP’s authoritarian approach and misuse of official machinery. In a democracy, governments cannot use the police and administration as instruments of political pressure. He said elections are one of the most important processes in a democracy, and every elected representative must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights freely, without fear, pressure or interference. If any councillor is facing a case, the details should be made public and transparent action should be taken strictly in accordance with the law. However, the administration must provide a clear explanation for the reported detention of the councillors immediately before the election.
Singh demanded an impartial and high-level inquiry into the entire matter and sought clarification regarding the level from which the orders to stop the councillors were issued. He said that if the police action was lawful, the administration should make its legal basis public, and if any official has violated the rules, appropriate action should be taken against them.
Rao Narender Singh said that democracy is not merely about conducting elections; it is equally important to guarantee that elected representatives are able to exercise their constitutional and democratic rights freely. He said the BJP government must understand that political power is not permanent, but democratic institutions are. He added that the Congress would democratically oppose any attempt to weaken the democratic system through what he described as an attitude of arrogance and authoritarianism. He urged the Haryana Police and administration to ensure that impartiality, transparency and the rule of law remain the highest priorities, and demanded that the administration immediately clarify the status and circumstances concerning the Rajasthan councillors.