There are moments in national politics when political differences must give way to larger national responsibilities. The controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is one such moment. Unfortunately, the INDIA alliance appears more interested in converting an administrative exercise into a political confrontation than in examining the larger implications of electoral integrity for India's security and sovereignty.The issue is not merely about the correction of voter lists. It concerns who is entitled to participate in India's electoral democracy, whether foreign nationals can manipulate identity systems, and whether political opposition should come at the cost of strengthening institutions that protect the country.The opposition's campaign against SIR raises an uncomfortable question: why is an exercise intended to establish the authenticity of electoral registrations being portrayed as an attack on democracy? More importantly, who benefits when public confidence in India's electoral institutions is systematically weakened?

POLITICAL NARRATIVES AND THE INTERESTS OF HOSTILE FORCESIndia's adversaries have long attempted to exploit domestic political disagreements to advance their propaganda. Pakistan, in particular, has repeatedly used political controversies in India to question the legitimacy of its democratic institutions and project an exaggerated picture of instability.Every political party has the right to criticise the government and demand accountability from constitutional institutions. But political leaders also have a responsibility to ensure that their allegations are supported by evidence and do not become convenient material for hostile propaganda.The INDIA alliance may have its political reasons for opposing SIR, but it cannot ignore the consequences of its campaign. When allegations of electoral manipulation are repeatedly projected as established facts without the necessary adjudication, they risk strengthening narratives propagated by forces that have consistently sought to discredit India.

There is no established........

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