The Madras High Court, presided over by Acting Chief Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq, has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by Vellore-based advocate Rajesh Anouar Mahimaidass. The petitioner argued that despite the Supreme Court ruling in Abhiram Singh versus C.D. Commachen (2017), which deemed seeking votes in the name of religion, caste, or language as a corrupt electoral practice, political parties and their representatives continue to polarize voters on these grounds during and outside election periods.
The petitioner emphasized the importance of an awareness campaign on this issue, not only during election periods but also during non-election periods. He highlighted that representations made to the ECI since 2023 had gone unanswered. To ensure that voters exercise their franchise without being influenced by hate speeches, the petitioner requested the court to order an awareness campaign through mainstream and social media.
Furthermore, the petitioner urged the court to appoint an independent commission comprising retired judges and human rights activists to oversee the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s 2017 verdict in Abhiram Singh’s case. The court has issued notice to the ECI, returnable in 12 weeks, for its response.
