‘Yes, we want regime change; it is every citizen's democratic right’: Prashant Bhushan

Amid the ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Thursday (October 15) said the demand was now indeed for a regime change, stressing that it is the democratic right of every citizen.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and leaders of student organisations and activists, Bhushan also said spreading "disaffection" against a government is not a crime in a democracy, adding that the struggle is now "really for a regime change".

"The government alleges the Opposition wants a regime change... We are currently fighting to ensure that elections are conducted properly. But if this kind of brutality continues, there will certainly be regime change,” he said.

‘Regime change is democratic right of every citizen’

"Yes, we all want regime change. What is wrong with that? BJP led several movements for regime change. Now they are saying there is a conspiracy for regime change..." Bhushan said.

"Regime change is the democratic right of every citizen. Creating disaffection for the government is not a crime as per our Constitution. That is why this is now really a fight for regime change against a dictatorial government, a government that is crushing democracy," he said.

“Getting regime change is every citizen’s constitutional right. That is why the Supreme Court had said that the sedition law made by the British was unconstitutional and that is why, until and unless violence or causing public disorder is not encouraged, only creating disaffection against the government is not an offence under our Constitution,” he said.

Also Read: Prashant Bhushan interview: 'SIR exercise is illegal, targets Muslims'

He said the more the authorities tried to suppress protests, the more people would take to the streets. The movement for regime change, he added, would be led by young people, with civil society groups and political parties joining the campaign.

Bhushan also questioned the decision to deny permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar, saying the authorities could have suggested another venue if they believed the gathering would be small. He questioned whether people could be prevented from waving the Tricolour merely because the venue was no longer a designated protest site.

Alleging selective treatment of protesters, he referred to a video showing an assault by people he described as BJP supporters and claimed it had been released within a day.

"There is a goonda raj going on," he said.

‘Why is CEC Gyanesh Kumar so important to PM Modi?’

Abhijeet Dipke asked why CEC Gyanesh Kumar is “so important” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Why is Gyanesh Kumar so important to Narendra Modi? Why should we not believe that Gyanesh Kumar is helping Narendra Modi win elections? If he is not helping him win elections, why is Narendra Modi providing him with so much protection?” he asked.

Also Read: ‘Stop contesting rigged elections’: Abhijeet Dipke urges Opposition parties

AISA president Neha Bora accused the authorities of harassing journalists covering the protests, saying their cameras were snatched and they were told “they would not get their cameras back if they cover this”.

Actor Prakash Raj alleged that Form 7 (used to raise objections to the inclusion of a person’s name in electoral rolls) was being used for the “silent erasure” of Muslim voters.

BJP hits back

Responding to the press conference and Prashant Bhushan’s remark about regime change, BJP MP Sambit Patra in a post on X said, "Prashant Bhushan stated that this struggle is about regime change. When they say they are fighting for regime change, it confirms what the Bharatiya Janata Party and ordinary citizens of this country have been saying all along: The true intent of Rahul Gandhi and his associates has nothing to do with the SIR issue, nor are they fighting for the future of our children. Their sole objective is to orchestrate a regime change, seize power, and install their own government at any cost, without contesting an election or putting in the necessary hard work, simply because the public keeps rejecting them.”

Patra went on to say that the Constitution provides a clear process for changing a government, and that elections are held every five years, allowing people to exercise their right to vote. He said these are the legitimate channels through which a change in power can occur. “But you do not believe in this process. You believe in chaos; you believe in anarchy,” he said.

Also Read: Neha Bora exclusive |'BJP is the largest source of content for youth now'

BJP party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari earlier cited All India Students' Association (AISA) leader Neha Bora's alleged remarks that she is inspired by the youth-led movement in Bangladesh as "proof of Rahul Gandhi's conspiracy".

“They want a Bangladesh-like Gen Z movement in India and their goal is "regime change,” he alleged.

He further claimed that Bora's remarks and her presence at Gandhi's recent protest march prove that the Congress leader is hatching a "conspiracy" with his "entire ecosystem" to destroy democracy by fomenting anarchy in the country to somehow bring the Congress back to power at the Centre.

(With agency inputs)