State Funding Will Ensure Free & Fair Elections : Justice Oka Recalls Justice Tarkunde's Suggestions

Lauding the vision of distinguished Bombay High Court judge-Justice VM Tarkunde, former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Oka recently shed light on certain "forgotten" recommendations made by Justice Tarkunde as far back as in 1975, including those pertaining to a voters' council at grassroot level as well as state funding of elections.

Justice Oka reminisced that in 1974 Jayprakash Narayan (on behalf of Citizens for Democracy) appointed Justice Tarkunde as the head of a Committee (the Citizens' Commission on Elections), which gave a report, recommending,

- State funding of elections to ensure free and fair elections and remove influence of money;

- A voters' council at the grassroot level to ensure there are no malpractices in elections;

- Election Commission to consist of 3 Election Commissioners (which happened subsequently);

- Age of voting to be brought down from 21 to 18 years (which was achieved vide 61st Constitutional Amendment);

- Procedure for appointment of Election Commissioners be fair, to ensure their independence from any sort of interference.

Appreciating the recommendation regarding a Voters' Council at the grassroot level, Justice Oka said, "I don't know what happened to it".

Justice Oka was speaking at the 16th V.M. Tarkunde Memorial Lecture organized by the Tarkunde Memorial Foundation at the India International Centre, New Delhi. His address was centred on the theme “Our Constitution and the Fundamental Duty to Develop a Scientific Temper". The VM Tarkunde Memorial Lecture is held annually to honor the legacy of Justice V.M. Tarkunde, renowned for his contributions to civil liberties, constitutionalism, and public interest lawyering in India.

Addressing the environmental impact of religious ceremonies during festivals in India, Justice Oka said that an act that damages the environment in the name of religion shall not be protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. He also expressed that India is in need of building a scientific temper to fight prevailing superstitions but anyone who proposes religious reforms gets targeted by religious groups.

To watch the event, click here.