From UAPA to Electoral Rolls: CPDRS Leaders Activists Decry “Systematic Dismantling” of Rights in India

Rights Groups Sound Alarm on Citizenship, Democratic Erosion on Human Rights Day

Bengaluru, 10 Dec.—Marking International Human Rights Day, civil society organizations staged a rally at Freedom Park here today, issuing a stark warning against what they termed systemic violations of democratic rights and a “backdoor” erosion of citizenship safeguards through electoral processes.

The event, organized by the Centre for Protection of Democratic Rights & Secularism (CPDRS), centered on critiques of recent voter list revisions and the use of stringent security laws, framing them as urgent threats to fundamental freedoms in India.

NSA-UAPA ಬಳಕೆ, ಮತದಾರರ ತೆಗೆಯುವಿಕೆ – ಮಾನವ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ಉಲ್ಲಂಘಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಆರೋಪ

Historical Commitment Contrasted with Current “Draconian” Laws

The gathering began by recalling the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which India, as a founding member, pledged to uphold. Speakers swiftly contrasted this historical commitment with contemporary realities.

N. Sriram, President of CPDRS, held successive governments responsible for ongoing violations. “All governments, regardless of political affiliation, are responsible for the suppression of human rights,” he stated. He specifically targeted laws like the National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

“Under the NSA, individuals can be detained for 365 days without a charge sheet. Under UAPA, a staggering 97% of those booked are ultimately found innocent,” Sriram said, highlighting these figures as evidence of severe power abuse.

Voter List Revisions Decried as Mass Disenfranchisement

The core of the critique focused on recent electoral roll exercises. Sriram pinpointed a “special intensive revision” in Bihar, where, he claimed, “more than 50 lakh people have been removed from the voter list despite possessing eligibility documents.”

He framed this as part of a broader, alarming pattern where the demand for citizenship documents for voter registration acts as a discriminatory filter. “The government is implementing a new process that demands citizenship documents… This is a backdoor entry to citizenship provisions,” he alleged.

He argued that this disproportionately affects the poor, minorities, and migrants who may lack such documentation, leading to “mass-scale deletion” from rolls. “This process is effectively stripping citizens of their fundamental right to vote,” Sriram concluded, demanding the government withdraw the revision and revert to normal enrollment procedures.

Corruption, Unemployment Fuelling Public Distress

The critique extended to socio-economic issues. Rights activist N. Ravi echoed the sentiment that ordinary citizens bear the brunt of systemic failures. “From the perspective of common people, they are enduring unimaginable hardships today,” he said.

Ravi highlighted unemployment among the educated and soaring costs of living. He saved sharp criticism for institutionalized corruption, citing electoral bonds as a prime example. “Through electoral bonds, individuals can give large donations and receive whatever they desire in return. The Election Commission has effectively sanctioned bribes,” he claimed.

He also criticized reported proposals to close thousands of schools, warning of massive job losses and denied education for the poor. “People have no other option but to protest and take to the streets to fight for their rights,” Ravi asserted, calling for the formation of grassroots committees.

A Call to Reclaim Basic Rights and Dignity

Professor Sowmya from Balaji Law College provided the philosophical anchor, defining human rights as basic as “air and water.” She emphasized that the right to life, enshrined in the Universal Declaration, is “not merely existence, but the right to live with dignity.”

Her comments served as a foundation for the rally’s overarching message. Sriram issued a final call to action, urging citizens to unite. “We must fight for human rights, the extension of democratic principles, and secularism,” he declared.

The event concluded with a collective resolve to amplify protests, with CPDRS noting it had submitted memorandums and organized demonstrations in over 15 states, positioning the day not as a celebration but as a catalyst for renewed mobilization against perceived democratic backsliding.