Sun Nov 16 15:13:11 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:
Summary:
Economist Parakala Prabhakar, speaking at an event organized by Eddelu Karnataka in Dharwad, strongly criticized the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He described it as “political genocide” designed to disenfranchise minorities, women, the illiterate, and the poor, thereby changing the very foundation of the Indian Constitution and its guarantee of universal adult franchise. He urged citizens to boycott the SIR and take action themselves, rather than relying on political parties, emphasizing that the silence and lack of protest on earlier issues have paved the way for this. He warned that the SIR effectively allows the government to choose its electorate rather than the other way around.
News Article:
Economist Brands Electoral Roll Revision ‘Political Genocide,’ Urges Boycott
Belagavi, November 16, 2025 – Prominent economist and political commentator Parakala Prabhakar has ignited controversy by denouncing the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “political genocide.” Addressing an awareness session organized by Eddelu Karnataka in Dharwad on Sunday, Prabhakar urged citizens to boycott the initiative, citing its potential to disenfranchise vulnerable populations and undermine the principles of the Indian Constitution.
“SIR is nothing but political genocide,” Prabhakar stated, arguing that the revision is a calculated effort to eliminate minorities, women, the illiterate, and the poor from the electoral process. He claimed that this effectively reverses the democratic process, allowing the government to select its electorate, rather than the electorate choosing the government.
Prabhakar warned that the SIR poses a direct threat to the Constitution’s guarantee of universal adult franchise, a right he emphasized was unique to India from its inception. He contrasted this with historical practices in other democracies where voting rights were gradually extended.
He also criticised the inaction of citizens to earlier incidents where people where killed and Manipur was burning, stating the silence and lack of protest against issues paved the way for this.
Speaking at the event were Madhav Deshpande, Tara Rao, Shiv Sundar, Noor Shridhar, Gopal Dabade, Ramzan Darga, and M. Isabela.
His remarks have sparked debate, with supporters of the SIR arguing it’s necessary for maintaining accurate and updated voter rolls, while critics echo Prabhakar’s concerns about potential disenfranchisement. The Election Commission of India has yet to officially respond to Prabhakar’s allegations.
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