Kiren Rijiju: 'India is a free country'

In an interview with India Today, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju addressed key national issues, including allegations of an undeclared emergency, opposition protests, and voter roll management. Dismissing claims of targeted voter disenfranchisement, Rijiju stated that India is a free country governed by the rule of law and asserted that police restrictions during demonstrations are administrative measures aimed at maintaining public order rather than curbing democratic rights. He defended the Special Intensive Revision process as routine electoral roll purification without political or religious bias. Drawing on his tenure as Union Law Minister, Rijiju highlighted electoral reforms enabling continuous voter registration for youth and mounted a defense of constitutional institutions, emphasizing that the government safeguards the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court from politically motivated attacks. Addressing parliamentary operations, Rijiju criticized disruptive floor tactics, reiterated the linkage between delimitation and women's reservation under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, and responded to political demonstrations, unscheduled delegation visits led by Rahul Gandhi, and critical commentary from social media influencers.