Welfare Party of India, through its national secretary Dr. Tasleem Rahmani, on 1 July filed a PIL in the Apex court against holding of Panchayat elections in West Bengal in the holy month of Ramadhan.
In its petition WPI said that new timeframe by the Supreme Court of India i.e. 11 July to 25 July coincide with the holy month of Ramadhan which is the most sacred month for Muslims all over the world. During this month Muslims observe fast by day in which they don’t eat and drink and during night they perform long prayers. Even during daytime also they are busy with some extra prayers. Therefore their daily routine is squarely changed. In these circumstances it will be very difficult for the 30% population of the state to exercise its right to vote and participate in this democratic event which involves all villages and districts of West Bengal.
The petition further argues that it is known that a large number of population take part in such local elections in one way or the other irrespective of cast, religion or language. But if the elections are conducted during any religious event, function or festival, the attention of that particular social group or community is totally diverted towards their religious obligations, thereby they don’t participate in the political process, which deprives them of the opportunity to enjoy their democratic rights. That’s why the democratic and plural societies always consider dates of any election with this perspective. Therefore the Election Commissions always takes into consideration weather conditions, seasons, exam periods, major festivals and national holidays, etc. Unfortunately this time in the state of West Bengal, for the first time this criteria has not been observed, which raises doubts in the mind of a particular community as to why the month of Ramadhan has not been considered while fixing the dates of this big political exercise.
WPI is contesting panchayat elections in the entire state. Its candidates have filed their nominations for gram panchayat, panchayat samitees and zila parishad. Apart from other communities and casts Welfare Party also enjoys overwhelming support of the Muslim community. Depriving Muslims of their right to vote will disturb the winning chances of WPI candidates and hence raise the doubts on free and fair election.
Furthermore, Panchayat polls are much delayed in the state pending a legal dispute between State Election Commission and State Govt. over security arrangements. So there will be no harm if the elections are delayed for a few more weeks. It will give the community a sense of being neglected.
In its appeal the Welfare Party pleaded to the Supreme Court of India to reschedule the election dates after Eid and the Independence Day.