JASROTA, Oct 30: BJP MLA from Jasrota, Rajiv Jasrotia, today addressed a Pramukh Nagarik Goshthi and Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao programme organised at Chandwan in Mandal Chann Arrorian of Jasrota Assembly Constituency, asserting that democracy cannot be reduced to political convenience and that constitutional institutions must be respected, protected and allowed to function independently.The programme witnessed the participation of BJP State General Secretary Baldev Singh Billawria, District Prabhari Sanjay Baru, District President Updesh Andotra, various Mandal Presidents, Sarpanches and Panches, party workers and a large number of local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Jasrotia said that the programme was aimed at creating awareness among citizens about democratic values, constitutional institutions, political accountability and the responsibility of every citizen towards strengthening the country’s democratic framework.He alleged that the Congress and several other Opposition parties, instead of engaging in constructive democratic debate, were increasingly questioning constitutional institutions and creating political controversies around their functioning. He said disagreement with government policies was a legitimate democratic right, but repeatedly questioning the credibility of institutions without allowing established constitutional and legal mechanisms to address grievances could weaken public confidence in the democratic system.
Referring to the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Opposition’s criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Jasrotia said that the Election Commission of India is a constitutional authority entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections.He maintained that cleaning and updating electoral rolls is an important democratic exercise to ensure that voter lists remain accurate, reliable and free from duplicate and ineligible entries, while safeguarding the voting rights of every eligible Indian citizen.
“The question is not whether electoral rolls should be accurate; everyone should agree on that fundamental democratic requirement. The real responsibility is to ensure that the revision process remains transparent, that every eligible voter is protected and that genuine grievances are addressed through proper procedures. Political parties should cooperate in strengthening the electoral system rather than creating confusion among people,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Congress, he alleged that the party was adopting contradictory positions on electoral reforms and using the SIR controversy as a political instrument to target the Election Commission. He said constitutional authorities should neither be above accountability nor subjected to political intimidation. Any genuine concern regarding their functioning must be raised through established constitutional procedures rather than through attempts to undermine their institutional credibility.
Highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir perspective, Jasrotia said that the Union Territory has a special responsibility to strengthen democratic participation, political stability and public confidence in constitutional institutions. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed decades of political uncertainty, governance challenges and difficult circumstances and therefore deserve a political environment focused on development, accountability, security and employment rather than recurring controversies.
He observed that the electoral revision exercise in Jammu and Kashmir must take into account its unique geographical conditions, particularly border villages, remote mountainous areas, displaced families, migrant voters and residents of snow-bound regions. He stressed that no eligible voter should be deprived of voting rights because of documentation difficulties, geographical isolation or administrative shortcomings.
Launching a political attack on the Congress, Jasrotia said that a party which frequently invokes democracy and constitutional values must also be prepared to answer questions about its own political history, including the Emergency imposed during its rule.He said democracy requires tolerance of dissent, respect for constitutional institutions, freedom of expression and acceptance of electoral outcomes. He alleged that the Congress and its allies were attempting to convert institutional disagreements into political confrontations while avoiding serious discussions on governance, development and public welfare.
Jasrotia further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country has witnessed renewed emphasis on infrastructure development, connectivity, welfare delivery, national security and opportunities for youth. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said the focus must remain on strengthening roads, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure, employment opportunities, tourism, agriculture and border-area development.
Addressing the gathering, BJP State General Secretary Baldev Singh Billawria emphasised the importance of protecting democratic values and strengthening public confidence in constitutional institutions. He said citizens must remain aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities and should not allow political differences to overshadow the larger interests of the nation. He also stressed the importance of taking the party’s message to the grassroots level and maintaining continuous engagement with people to address their concerns.
BJP District Prabhari Sanjay Baru highlighted the importance of grassroots participation in strengthening democracy and ensuring political accountability. He said that public awareness programmes provide an important platform for interaction with prominent citizens, local representatives and community members. He called upon party workers to remain connected with people, disseminate awareness about democratic processes and highlight issues concerning development and public welfare.
Jasrotia said that residents of Jasrota constituency expect their representatives to remain accessible, address local grievances and ensure that development reaches villages without discrimination. He called upon Sarpanches, Panches, Mandal-level functionaries and party workers to maintain regular public contact, identify local issues and communicate people’s concerns to the appropriate authorities.
Concluding his address, Jasrotia appealed to prominent citizens, social representatives, youth and grassroots workers to participate actively in democratic processes and promote awareness about constitutional rights and responsibilities. He said democracy is strengthened not merely through elections but also through responsible public conduct, respect for institutions, constructive criticism and active participation of citizens.
The gathering reaffirmed its commitment to democratic awareness, national unity, political accountability and continued development of Jammu and Kashmir. The programme concluded with a call for strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring that public discourse remains centred on constitutional values and the aspirations of ordinary citizens.