It is learnt that in 2023, a law was passed by the Parliament, granting immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), and two Election Commissioners, present and former, to the effect that they cannot be legally held accountable for their functions. It follows that the present CEC has been hitherto discharging his duties to the nation without a sense of accountability. Can we now compare the CEC’s authority with what once the English Constitution (1765) assumed that the king can do no wrong? In fact, it is the rule of law that when the authority is delegated to a person for an office assigned to him, he is required to exercise the authority with utmost accountability. The authority and accountability must go hand in hand; or else authority without accountability is likely to lead him to autocracy.
Islam makes no difference between man and man based on king and subject, white and black, rich and poor and high caste and low caste. All are equal except in quality and eligibility by which one can excel each other under the Islamic law. Islam has thus given a tremendous emphasis on social justice, ensuring and contributing to peace, equality, co-existence and socio-economic growth in society. The Glorious Qur’an announces: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice as witness to Allah, even though it goes against yourselves or your parents or kin and rich or poor. For Allah can best protect both; follow not the lusts of your hearts.” (4:135)
Muhammad Abdus Samad
Ambari,Dhupdhara, Assam
Rejoinder to Mr. Farooq Bawani’sLetter
This refers to the letter titled “Yes, I am reading books about Mr. M.A. Jinnah Saab” published in Radiance Viewsweekly magazine of 3rd October 2026 by Mr. Farooq AbdulgafarBawani (Rajkot, Gujarat).
Such news of the silent resistance of ordinary people to attempts made by right wing forces to prevent free speech would be communicated far and wide. So that it will inspire others in different places to similarly stand up for the rights, knowing fully well that it will provoke resistance. But it’s well-known that no rights are ever given; they are fought for and won; and vigilance of our hard won fundamental rights is implicit in the idea of constitutional democracy.
The letter of Mr. Bawani will be published in the web edition of the PUCL Bulletin due to very limited print space.
Dr. V. Suresh
The Editor, The PUCL Bulletin
and National Gen. Secy., PUCL
Hamid Dalwai was an Atheist
I read an article on Countercurrentssite dated 30-09-2026 by Dr. Suresh Khairnar. (Source) https://countercurrents.org/2026/09/hamid-dalwai-at-94-the-unfinished-work-of-muslim-social-reform/
Hamid Dalwai was an atheist. He refused to believe in Allah and His Last Messenger. So, he carried nil weightage amongst Muslims. He was acceptable to secular Hindus as well as hardcore Hindus because he made anti-Islamic statements. He spoke against triple talaq, Burkha System, favoured admission of women in mosques and prayer vis-a-vis men. All these points are NOT reforms. Islam itself is a reformist religion and the Last Messenger of Allah was the greatest reformer of traditions prevailing at that time.
Further the learned writer has concealed one thing about his (Dalwai’s) life. His deadboy was burnt as per his will and brought to the residence of Mr. Sharad Pawar, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra.The same thing applies to Dr. Bandukwalaand Dr. Engineer, though their dead bodies were buried.
Those who speak against Islam and Muslims are ‘heroes’ to upper caste Hindus. Those who strengthen the hands of the Brahmanism are acceptable to them. The less said, the better.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India