Chandigarh- Ravi Inder Singh, former Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, and patron of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), stated that agitations do not cease merely through the cancellation of trains or emotional appeals. Therefore, the government ought to listen to the voice of the opposition with wisdom and find a resolution to the issue, ensuring that our youth become partners in the nation's progress rather than taking the path of agitation. S. Ravi Inder Singh appealed to the Central Government and the Election Commission to take seriously the concerns raised by opposition parties and youth organizations in the national capital—specifically regarding the demand for the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and allegations of irregularities in the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of voter lists—and to address the grievances of all concerned parties to their satisfaction. He stated that in a democracy, the opposition has the full right to voice its views and register protest peacefully. At such a time, the extensive fortification of Delhi, strict restrictions, and the deployment of a large number of security forces can cause anxiety among the public. While maintaining law and order is the government's responsibility, it is equally important for the government to safeguard democratic rights and the right to peaceful protest.
S. Raviinder Singh remarked that the significance of the Chief Election Commissioner's office lies in ensuring that every citizen of the country has faith in the impartiality and transparency of the electoral process. If an eligible voter's name is deleted from the electoral roll during the SIR process, or if a citizen faces difficulty in establishing their right to vote, their grievance must be addressed in a time-bound and fair manner. He stated that the demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the questions arising regarding the Election Commission's functioning should be addressed through facts, transparency, and constitutional processes, rather than merely through political confrontation. The Chief Election Commissioner should take the initiative to engage with opposition representatives and provide a fact-based response to their objections concerning the SIR. He further added that if serious irregularities come to light at any stage based on investigation and facts, appropriate steps should be taken in accordance with the law to rectify them. Decisions regarding the demand for resignation in this matter should also be considered within the framework of constitutional propriety, available facts, and established procedures. Maintaining the public's trust in the electoral system is the collective responsibility of all constitutional institutions and political parties. Therefore, the Central Government, the Election Commission, and the opposition parties should find a solution through mutual dialogue—one that safeguards the rights of eligible voters, provides satisfactory answers to questions regarding the fairness of the electoral process, and ensures that the country's youth are not compelled to resort to agitation.