'We Have Never Supported Violent Protests': P. Chidambaram on BJP Charges

In an interview with India Today, senior Congress leader and former union minister P. Chidambaram rejected allegations by BJP leaders that the opposition is planning a violent regime change. Addressing the controversy surrounding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chidambaram argued that the ECI has abandoned the SIR in remaining states to switch over to the customary Summary Revision (SSR), stating that both processes cannot proceed together. He noted that opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have moved the Supreme Court regarding the exclusion of over 13 crore voters during the SIR process across 26 states. Chidambaram said, "I fervently hope that the Supreme Court will expose the SIR for what it is. It was a mischievous attempt. It is an illegal attempt to exclude 13 crore, 30 lakh voters." Emphasizing his party's commitment to peaceful and nonviolent demonstrations, he asserted that their wider movement focuses on protecting constitutional freedoms and fundamental rights.