New Delhi: A group of 272 retired judges, former bureaucrats, and ex-members of the armed forces on Wednesday issued a strong critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his repeated attacks on the Election Commission of India (ECI), describing his rhetoric as “unbelievably uncouth” and warning that such statements threaten the integrity of India’s foundational democratic institutions.

The letter, titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities”, condemned Gandhi for making unsubstantiated claims of “vote chori” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, framing these attacks as part of a broader pattern of targeting key national institutions.

Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi

The signatories—comprising 16 retired judges, 123 former bureaucrats, and 133 ex-armed forces officers—highlighted that the Congress leader has repeatedly leveled provocative accusations against the Election Commission, even issuing threats toward officials overseeing the SIR exercise.

According to the letter, Gandhi claimed to possess “100 per cent proof” that the Election Commission was involved in voter manipulation and described the purported evidence as an “atom bomb” that would leave the EC exposed. The retired officials stressed that, despite the bold accusations, Gandhi has neither filed any formal complaints nor submitted sworn affidavits to substantiate his claims, suggesting an effort to evade accountability.

Justice S.N. Dhingra, former Delhi High Court judge, and Nirmal Kaur, former DGP of Jharkhand, who co-signed the letter, remarked, “Some political leaders, instead of offering genuine policy alternatives, resort to provocative but unsubstantiated accusations in their theatrical political strategy. After attempts to tarnish the Indian Armed Forces and Judiciary, it is now the Election Commission facing systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation.”

Institutional Safeguards and SIR Transparency

The letter underlined that the ECI has maintained transparency throughout the SIR process. Electoral rolls are being updated in compliance with legal frameworks, ineligible voters removed, and new eligible voters added, all under oversight mechanisms sanctioned by the courts. The signatories argued that Gandhi’s rhetoric is politically motivated, masking frustration over electoral setbacks rather than addressing legitimate policy issues.

The group further stated, “Such fiery rhetoric may be emotionally powerful—but it collapses under scrutiny because the Election Commission has publicly shared its SIR methodology and followed verified, court-monitored procedures. These accusations appear to be an attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis.”

Context: Gandhi’s Bihar Campaign

The criticisms follow Gandhi’s election campaign in Bihar, where he raised the SIR issue during poll rallies, alleging that the poll body was colluding with the BJP to remove legitimate voters during the roll revision. The letter from the retired officials characterized these claims as baseless and a distraction from the Congress party’s electoral challenges.

Frustration Over Repeated Electoral Losses

The retired judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces officers attributed Gandhi’s attacks to “repeated electoral failure and frustration.” They suggested that his anger reflects a broader disconnect with citizens’ aspirations. “When political leaders lose touch with the aspirations of ordinary citizens, they lash out at institutions instead of rebuilding their credibility,” the letter noted.

The signatories concluded by urging political leaders to maintain decorum in public discourse and respect the independence of constitutional authorities, emphasizing that undermining institutions threatens the stability of India’s democratic framework.

The letter has sparked widespread discussion across political and civil society circles, reinforcing the debate around the boundaries of political rhetoric and the responsibilities of elected leaders in a democratic system.