By Matters India Reporter
NEW DELHI, October 7, 2026: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India on Tuesday warned against disenfranchisement amid reports of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The bishops said they were “shocked and deeply concerned” by findings published in The Indian Express and demanded that no valid voter lose their constitutional right to cast a ballot. “Disenfranchisement must never become a ‘new normal,’ as such a trajectory represents a highly dangerous trend for our democracy,” the statement read.
The CBCI urged the Election Commission to conduct the revision process in a free, fair and transparent manner, stressing that the credibility of India’s democracy rests on public trust in electoral institutions.
“It is the ultimate responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that public trust in our electoral institutions remains unshaken, and that every eligible citizen’s voice is safeguarded,” the bishops said.
The conference also expressed solidarity with citizens peacefully protesting for voter rights, while appealing for demonstrations to remain nonviolent. “We earnestly request all protestors to strictly refrain from any form of violence and to maintain the absolute peaceful nature of their demonstrations,” the statement added.
The bishops concluded with a call for prayer during what they described as “difficult times” for the nation.
(Photo: UN Women Asia and the Pacific)
Conscious readers may also refer to the video link: https://youtu.be/K5qUfsPBSvQ
by Prannoy Roy’s (former NDTV brainwave and lifeblood) channel DeKoder. It shows that millions of voters have been deleted, including Prannoy Roy! The deletion percentages are mind-boggling: Delhi 33%, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu 29.7%, Telengana 21.7%, Maharashtra 21.1%, Karnataka 19.5%, Arunachal Pradesh 19.1%, West Bengal 10.9% and Goa 10.2%. Prannoy Roy makes an interesting revelation regarding West Bengal SIR where it has been shown that in the deletions 62% were women (prime supporters of Mamata) and 38% were men. Whichever districts showed higher deletions, they translated into more vote swing for the BJP.
Democracy, Nonviolence, and the Prophetic Responsibility of the Church
The true strength of democracy lies not merely in elections, but in protecting the rights, dignity, and freedom of every citizen. The right to vote is not an act of charity or a privilege granted by anyone; it is a constitutional right. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission and the State to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of the right to vote in the name of electoral roll revision.
In this context, the statement issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is significant. However, Isaac Gomes’s question also deserves serious reflection: Is the Church still fulfilling its prophetic role in society by standing against injustice, discrimination, and the denial of people’s rights? According to biblical teachings, the mission of the Church is not limited to prayer and worship; it also includes standing for truth, justice, human dignity, and the rights of the oppressed.
Nonviolence is not a sign of weakness; it is a reflection of moral courage and self-discipline. Injustice must be challenged, but not through hatred, revenge, or violence. The teachings of Jesus Christ on love, truth, and peace guide us towards this path.
The voice of the Church must not remain confined to statements alone; it must be reflected in courageous action against injustice and in the protection of human rights. For when silence strengthens injustice, speaking up for the truth becomes a moral responsibility.
What voter rights do the laity have in the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church? Easy to advise others what to do.
Wow, wonderful! Chhotebhai has pin-pricked the balloon of the Catholic church’s hypocrisy. Indeed officially the The Catholic Church does not view itself as a democracy, and its internal governance is a hierarchical structure established by ‘discernment’ rather than a system based on popular vote or majority rule.
Democracy, Nonviolence, and the Prophetic Responsibility of the Church
The true strength of democracy lies not merely in elections, but in protecting the rights, dignity, and freedom of every citizen. The right to vote is not an act of charity or a privilege granted by anyone; it is a constitutional right. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission and the State to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of the right to vote in the name of electoral roll revision.
In this context, the statement issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is significant. However, Isaac Gomes’s question also deserves serious reflection: Is the Church still fulfilling its prophetic role in society by standing against injustice, discrimination, and the denial of people’s rights? According to biblical teachings, the mission of the Church is not limited to prayer and worship; it also includes standing for truth, justice, human dignity, and the rights of the oppressed.
Nonviolence is not a sign of weakness; it is a reflection of moral courage and self-discipline. Injustice must be challenged, but not through hatred, revenge, or violence. The teachings of Jesus Christ on love, truth, and peace guide us towards this path.
The voice of the Church must not remain confined to statements alone; it must be reflected in courageous action against injustice and in the protection of human rights. For when silence strengthens injustice, speaking up for the truth becomes a moral responsibility.
Mithun Horo,Dakshin Dinajpur
The moot question is do our politicians, especially those in power at the Centre, care for the sermons of CBCI bishops who, except very few, have totally given up their ‘prophetic roles’?