By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Nov 26, 2025: The Catholic bishops of India on November 26 called for addressing concerns raised by different sections of the population regarding electoral processes.
The prelates made the appeal as they joined civil and political leaders to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s Constitution that assures its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
In the backdrop of a raging controversy over voter list tampering and large-scale electoral manipulation, the Catholic Bishops stressed a credible electoral process as the heart of democracy.
“It is important to address concerns raised by different sections of the population regarding electoral processes,” the bishops said in a statement issued by Father Robinson Rodrigues, the conference’s public relations officer.
The bishops called upon the government to take necessary steps to ensure the independence, functional neutrality, and efficacy of our democratic institutions.
The constitutional values, the bishops asserted, are essential for the well-being of our democratic Republic and call for renewed commitment and careful preservation.
Every year, India celebrates November 26 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India on the same day in 1949 by the Constituent Assembly of India. It came into effect on January 26, 1950.
Marking the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an open letter, urged citizens to place duties to the nation at the forefront, underscored their responsibility towards democracy through voting. He also suggested that educational institutions celebrate Constitution Day by recognizing first-time voters turning 18.
Modi recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that rights flow from the performance of duties, stressing that fulfilling duties is the foundation for social and economic progress.
The prime minister underscored that the policies and decisions taken today will shape the lives of generations to come, and urged citizens to place their duties foremost in their minds as India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat (advanced India).
The bishops, on their part, said the framers of the Constitution had envisioned it as a beacon of justice, equality, and fraternity. “It reflects the shared aspirations of a diverse and pluralistic society, ensuring that every citizen enjoys dignity, rights, and opportunities irrespective of religion, caste, or creed,” they added.
The constitutional guarantees, the bishops’ statement said, provided that all sections of society, including religious minorities and other socially vulnerable groups, should be truly valued and effectively implemented.
“We call upon the Government of India to uphold and safeguard the constitutional guarantees, especially those affecting the Minorities, Marginalized, and the human rights of all citizens,” the statement added.
The bishops conference underscored the need for preserving the neutrality and functional efficacy of democratic institutions, which were “thoughtfully established as additional safeguards for our democratic consolidation.”
Institutions like the National Human Rights Commission, the National Minorities’ Commission, and the Election Commission of India are crucial to strengthening our democratic edifice, the bishops asserted.
The bishops reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the spirit of the Constitution by working for the upliftment of the marginalized, fostering interfaith dialogue, and contributing to the nation’s progress.