Justices Lokur, Shah, Journalist N Ram Invite Modi, Rahul for Public Debate on LS Polls

New Delhi: Amid the heat of elections speeches, the plumbing depths of public discourse, hate speeches, allegations and counter allegations, two retired Justices – Madan B Lokur of the Supreme Court and AP Shah of the Delhi High Court —and N Ram, senior journalist and former editor of The Hindu, have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for a public debate.

In a letter addressed to both leaders, posted on Ram’s X handle, the three eminent citizens have put forth the proposal for a non-partisan public debate in the “larger interests of every citizen”.

Noting that the three phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections are already over, the letter several vital questions have been raised in public speeches on “the core of our constitutional democracy”.

“The Prime Minister has publicly challenged the Congress on reservations, Article 370 and wealth distribution. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned the Prime Minister of possible mutilation of the Constitution, the electoral bond scheme and the government’s response to China, and also challenged him to a public debate. Both sides have also asked each other about their manifestos…” reads the letter, adding that as members of the public, they had not heard any “meaningful responses”.

Noting that in the digital era, there is “propensity for misinformation, misinterpretation and manipulation,” the letter says that it is fundamentally important for the public is well-educated to take an informed decision while voting.

“To this end, we believe that citizens would hugely benefit by hearing directly from our political leaders through a public debate on a non-partisan and non-commercial platform”, said the three eminent citizens, adding that this would help strengthen our democratic process at a time when the entire world is watching “our elections keenly.”

The letter ends with requesting a response from both the leaders and if they can’t make it, even nominate a representative. “The venue, duration, moderators, and format of the debate could be on the terms agreeable to both sides,” it adds.