Anand Dubey Defends SIR While Slamming Selective Enforcement

In a detailed interaction, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey positioned the Opposition as supportive of electoral-roll purification but fiercely critical of its alleged misuse as a political tool. He argued that periodic revision is a democratic necessity, yet the methodology adopted in several states has raised serious concerns about fairness and due process. Dubey highlighted Bihar’s earlier experience where large-scale deletions triggered court orders for restoration, underscoring that administrative convenience cannot override constitutional rights. He called on the Election Commission to publish clear criteria, maintain real-time grievance portals, and ensure independent observers monitor the process in sensitive constituencies. On the question of infiltrators, Dubey agreed that fake voters must be identified and removed, but cautioned against sweeping operations that inconvenience genuine citizens lacking immediate documentation. He urged authorities to adopt technology-driven verification that minimizes human discretion and political pressure. The spokesperson also drew attention to the pattern of central investigative agencies focusing on Opposition-ruled states, describing it as an attempt to destabilize elected governments. He stressed that the Opposition would continue legal challenges rather than resort to street protests, and he challenged the Centre to demonstrate concrete action on border security instead of political rhetoric. Dubey’s remarks reflect a broader demand for institutional neutrality ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.