No de-registration of parties with religious connotation: HC

A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath observed it was satisfied with the explanation given by the Election Commission and the issue would be looked into by the poll panel. 

“The ECI is concerned with it. They will look into it. No public interest is there. This (plea) is motivated,” the Bench said, adding, “We are satisfied with the explanation given by the ECI.” 

“In the light of specific stand taken by ECI that after 2005 they have not registered any political party having connotation of religion, caste, creed, race, name of god or community in its name, we decline to entertain the petition. The petition is dismissed,” the Bench said. Citizen Rights Foundation had filed the plea which also sought to prevent such political parties from participating in the elections. 

It had sought a direction to EC to take necessary action to change the name of these political parties within a period fixed by the court.

“The registration given to those political parties having any connotation of religion, caste, creed, race, name of god or community with their names is in violation of the Constitution of India and against the various provisions of Representation of People Act and Rules, Regulation and Guidelines framed there under,” the plea had alleged. 

It had claimed there were 16 registered political parties having connotation of religion in their names and they should be prohibited from collecting funds from the general public. 

“Direct respondent one (Ministry of Law and Justice) to ensure, by legislation if necessary, that political parties having any connotation of the religion, caste, creed, race, name of god or community in its name is not participating in election,” it added.