Saying the use of such language violated the Model Code of Conduct, the ECI warned that repeated violations may invite action.
Published Nov 26, 2023 | 12:27 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2023 | 12:27 PM
KCR addressing a campaign rally. (File photoe/X)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to refrain from using “intemperate” language while addressing election campaign rallies.
The ECI was acting on a complaint by Dr Balmoori Venkat Narasing Rao, the Telangana unit president of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student arm of the Congress.
He accused KCR, the star campaigner of the BRS, of making derogatory and provocative comments while addressing a public meeting at Banswada on 30 October.
The ECI referred to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in operation and advised KCR and leaders of the other parties to desist from using such language.
ECI Principal Secretary Avinash Kumar, in a letter to the chief minister dated 24 November, gave the translated portion of his speech to which Narasing Rao had objected.
“It is politics! Is it anarchism? Useless fellows, idiots… As they do not know how to work and as they do not have the guts to face the public, they are resorting to violence, stooping to the level of (physical) attacks, holding knives in their hands, they are attacking our candidates. I request the Telangana society itself, to teach a lesson to this. If it is desired to stab with a knife, look… so many are here. Are we not having hands? Don’t we get a knife with or without sharpness? If we get mad, dust … all dust will rise in this state. Be careful. This is my warning,” the letter quoted from KCR’s speech.
The ECI referred to the instructions in the MCC and guidance for political parties and said that repeated violations and the use of abusive language might invite action against the defaulting candidates.
The poll panel also instructed that all the political parties, their leaders in all capacities, and the contesting candidates should observe utmost restraint and decency in their speeches during the campaign and set an example to others.
Referring to the communication addressed to the presidents or general secretaries of all recognised national and state political parties, the ECI said that plummeting levels of political discourse witnessed during the ongoing election campaign was a matter of serious concern and deep anguish.
The ECI pointed out that the rising tide of complaints and counter-complaints received in its office were related to provocative and inflammatory statements intended to cause mutual hatred, disharmony, or ill-will, and therefore the parties should desist from this practice.
Further, the use of intemperate and abusive language transgressing the limits of decency, and attacks on the personal character and conduct of political rivals, in utterances and through posters or hoardings was also not permitted, the Commission said.
He said that as they tended to incite mutual hatred, disharmony, or ill-will and aggravated the differences between different political parties and classes of citizens on the grounds of religion, caste, and community, such practice should be eschewed.
The ECI said it recognised the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, but it also needed to be pointed out that such right to freedom of speech and expression was not absolute and was to be exercised in such a manner that it did not transcend, inter alia, the boundaries of decency and morality or disturb public order or amount to defamation or give incitement to an offence as ordained in Clause (2) of that Article 19.
The gravity of the situation could be gauged by the fact that the Commission had received petitions from two national political parties seeking each other’s de-recognition for repeated violations of the Model Code of Conduct under Para 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
“While the Commission does not propose to take action on the lines prayed for, by the said two nationally recognised political parties at this stage, the Commission, however, desires to put all political parties on notice that any repeated violation of the Model Code of Conduct and use of intemperate and abusive language may invite action against the defaulting political parties,” the ECI said.
