The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland, in collaboration with the Chümoukedima, Niuland and Dimapur District units, organised an Intellectual Meet under the ‘Loktantra Bachao, Bheed Tantra Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Remove Mob Rule) Campaign 2026 at the BJP Dimapur District Office on Saturday.
The meet aimed at addressing and countering what the party termed as misleading narratives propagated by the opposition concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while creating greater public awareness about the electoral process and the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions.
As a significant outcome of the Eminent Citizens’ Dialogue, a memorandum addressed to the President of India was adopted and signed by the eminent citizens and intellectuals present. The memorandum seeks to expose what the participants described as baseless opposition propaganda surrounding the SIR of electoral rolls and to reaffirm their support for upholding the integrity, independence and constitutional authority of the Election Commission of India.
The programme was graced by Arvind Damani, National Vice President, BJYM, as the Guest Speaker.
Addressing the gathering, Damani emphasised that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being conducted by the Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional authority, and not by the BJP. He stated that the exercise is being undertaken through established procedures and is scheduled to continue until November 25.
Clarifying the controversy surrounding the claim of 13 crore voter deletions, he explained that the figure represents electoral entries flagged for verification at the draft stage on grounds of being deceased, permanently shifted, absent or untraceable, and duplicate entries. He stressed that flagging an entry for verification does not amount to its deletion from the electoral roll.
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Giving a category-wise breakdown, he stated that approximately 2.8 crore entries were identified as deceased, 6.3 crore as permanently shifted, three crore as absent or untraceable, and nearly one crore as duplicate entries. He further observed that India records up to one crore deaths annually and, considering that the previous SIR was conducted during 2002–04, substantial changes in electoral records over the intervening years are natural and inevitable.
He maintained that the revision exercise is essential to ensure accurate and updated electoral rolls, including the identification of illegal immigrants and other ineligible entries in accordance with the law, while ensuring that every genuine and eligible Indian citizen is duly included.
Questioning the opposition to the SIR exercise by certain political groups, Damani criticised what he described as politically motivated attempts to create apprehension and distrust around an institutional process for political appeasement. He asserted that although no system is entirely perfect, continuous efforts are necessary to improve its transparency, accuracy and effectiveness.
He also highlighted that the revised Form 6 is intended to facilitate easier voter registration, particularly for new and young eligible voters. On demands seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, he emphasised that the Election Commission is an independent constitutional institution and that constitutional authorities must function without undue political interference or pressure.
Concluding his address, Damani called upon intellectuals and citizens to critically examine facts, reject misinformation and uphold the credibility of democratic institutions. He reiterated that a healthy democracy rests on informed citizens, institutional integrity and respect for constitutional processes.
The programme was chaired by V Shekishe Achumi, Dimapur District President. The invocation prayer was pronounced by Pelesinou, Secretary, Dimapur District, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Ankit Jain, Secretary, Dimapur District.
