06 October,2026 12:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. File pic
The Shiv Sena (UBT) in an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, warned the BJP of mass protests over alleged 'stolen voting rights' of the citizens, reported the IANS.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party defended the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)-backed protest rally held in Mumbai against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while criticising the BJP and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Thackeray camp also hit back at criticism of the rally by senior BJP leaders. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had described the opposition protest as an attempt to regain political ground, while state Minister Ashish Shelar termed it "cheap politics" and criticised its demands.
The editorial accused the BJP of dismissing public concerns and alleged that the Election Commission's actions had resulted in voters being deprived of their voting rights. It claimed that nearly 13 crore voters across India, including more than two crore in Maharashtra, had been removed from electoral rolls without adequate notice or a fair hearing.
The Saamana editorial also referred to recent comments by Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on the issue of disenfranchisement. Justice Bhuyan had said that a process that deprives millions of citizens of their voting rights would be arbitrary and contrary to the constitutional framework. He also said that, except in the case of a deceased person, a voter's name should not be removed from the electoral roll without notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
The editorial further cited former Union Home Secretary and former BJP minister R K Singh, who has criticised the nationwide SIR exercise and questioned the removal of voters without proper inquiry or hearings.
"If an experienced administrative officer and a Supreme Court Judge both call this process arbitrary and illegal, will the BJP call their observations 'howling' as well?" the editorial asked.
It also questioned whether Fadnavis and other BJP leaders would similarly dismiss Singh's criticism of SIR.
The editorial reiterated the demands raised during the Mumbai protest, including withdrawal of the SIR exercise, scrapping of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and a return to ballot paper-based elections.
Taking aim at BJP leaders, the editorial also used strong language against Fadnavis and Shelar and suggested that RSS-influenced playwrights should write a drama titled "Puppies of the Jackal".
The editorial concluded by saying that the government should not dismiss public concerns over electoral rolls and voting rights. It said that when large numbers of citizens come together against what they consider injustice, it can lead to significant political pressure on those in power.
(With inputs from IANS)
