The two-day National Working Committee meeting of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which concluded in Mysuru on Tuesday, has adopted a resolution seeking re-enrolment of all eligible citizens who had been excluded during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

The National Working Committee meeting of SDPI, held at Hotel Lalitha Mahal Palace in Mysuru and chaired by its national president M.K. Faizi discussed the current political situation in the country, upcoming elections, party programmes and activities.

In its first resolution, SDPI said Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is part of a systematic exclusion of Indian citizens from their franchise. “More than two crore voters have reportedly been disenfranchised, the majority of whom are migrant labourers, poor people, and other marginalised sections of society”, the resolution said before demanding that the Election Commission of India withdraw the ongoing SIR exercise.

In its second resolution, SDPI has expressed its deep concern over the irregularities and question paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination. 

The controversy surrounding the examination caused immense anxiety and distress among lakhs of students and their families. Reports of student suicides and severe psychological trauma in the wake of the NEET crisis have further underscored the gravity of the situation, it said.

“The National Working Committee holds the Union Minister of Education politically and morally responsible for this failure and demands his immediate resignation”, the resolution said.

FCRA amendments

Describing the amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) as “contrary to the spirit and values of the Constitution of India”, SDPI said numerous religious, educational, healthcare, and charitable institutions established by minority communities have been serving the public for decades with the support of foreign donors and philanthropists. 

“The beneficiaries of these institutions include people of all religions, castes, and genders without discrimination.

The National Working Committee is of the view that the FCRA amendments “impose disproportionate restrictions that adversely affect the functioning of minority-run charitable and educational institutions and undermine their ability to serve society”.

Therefore, SDPI has resolved to seek the immediate repeal of the FCRA Amendment Act.

SDPI has also strongly condemned the “demolition and bulldozing” of places of worship and houses belonging to minority communities under the guise of encroachment removal or legal construction. 

Such actions are a denial of human rights and fundamental rights, and they create fear and insecurity among minorities, especially Muslims in India, SDPI said.

The SDPI has also observed that “systematic demolition and ghettoisation of minorities is part of the hate agenda of the regime and is contrary to the constitutional values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity. The religious places, particularly masjids, dargahs, and churches attacked and even removed under excuse of security by the regime in several States is condemned”.

SDPI national president M.K. Faizy, Karnataka State president Abdul Majeed, national vice-president Sitaram Khoiwal, general secretaries Mohammad Ashraf and Eliyas Thumbe, national secretaries Alfonse Franco, D.S. Bindra and Sadiya Sayeeda were also present during the press meet.

EoM