March 18, 2025
Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale’s Zero Hour mention urging for the conferring of the Bharat Ratna Award posthumously on TN Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner
Sir, Shri T.N. Seshan was the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India and he redefined the way in which the Election Commissioner of India functions. Mr. Seshan was a fiercely independent Election Commissioner. His famous quote, ‘I eat politicians for breakfast,’ showed that he worked without fear or favour and upheld the independence and dignity of the Election Commission. Sir, I will state a few reasons as to why it is extremely important that our country honour Shri T.N. Seshan with the Bharat Ratna. First reason is: Shri T.N. Seshan’s independence gave a strong image to the ECI, which is the constitutional body. Sir, today, Election Commissioners are appointed directly by the Government with a majority vote of P.M. Shri Modi and hon. Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah on the selection panel. Neither the Chief Justice of India, which is the judiciary, nor the Leader of the Opposition, which is the legislature, have any say in the appointments. The ECI has now become a Government-appointed body. Shri T.N. Seshan would not approve of this. Second reason is, Shri T.N. Seshan strictly enforced the Model Code of Conduct and made it a powerful tool for free and fair elections. Sir, the third reason and this is the most important reason. Sir, Shri T.N. Seshan — this is important for everyone to know, in the Government especially, Shri T.N. Seshan created the EPI Cards. The voter ID Cards were envisaged by Shri T.N. Seshan. He envisaged them as being a unique electoral ID for every Indian. The unique voter ID envisaged by Shri T.N. Seshan is no longer unique. Under Shri T.N. Seshan, the EC was independent and we need to give him Bharat Ratna to remind … And, Sir,…
