No justification for disenfranchising millions, says SC judge in SIR row

In a sharp statement during proceedings related to the ongoing Simultaneous Elections Row, a Supreme Court judge has firmly rejected attempts to use comparative arguments to justify measures that could disenfranchise millions of voters. The judge's remarks underscore the court's commitment to protecting fundamental democratic rights. The statement came as the bench examined concerns raised by various parties about potential voter exclusion arising from the proposed electoral framework. The judge made clear that regardless of precedents or parallel issues in other contexts, no argument can legitimise policies that strip citizens of their constitutional right to vote. The observations reflect the judiciary's heightened scrutiny of any proposal that threatens to restrict electoral participation on a mass scale. The matter remains under consideration as the court weighs competing interests in the complex debate surrounding electoral reform and the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections across India.