By: Karan Thapar Published in: *The Wire* Date: April 29, 2024 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09bCzbd1u54 "Modi [has] "very clearly and categorically' breached Model Code of Conduct and 'undoubtedly violated' Representation of People Act; Election Commission has 'abdicated its solemn duty' and 'insulted Constitution of India': Dushyant Dave"
"In a hard-hitting and outspoken interview, one of India’s most highly regarded Supreme Court lawyers, Dushyant Dave, has said the Prime Minister is 'guilty, very clearly and categorically, of breaching Clauses 1 and 3 of the Model Code of Conduct' and added he has 'undoubtedly violated' Section 123 of the Representation of People Act. Mr. Dave said the Prime Minister has 'demonized and disparaged' as well as 'maligned' the minority community. At one point in the interview, Mr. Dave even suggested that the Prime Minister could be open to class action on the grounds of defaming the Muslim community when he called them infiltrators, something similar to what happened to Rahul Gandhi when he was found guilty of defaming all Modis. In a 21-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Dushyant Dave, a former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, also spoke extremely critically of the Election Commission of India. He said it has 'abdicated its solemn duty conferred by the Constitution'. He accused it of 'gross impropriety' and called its response to the allegations against Mr. Modi 'a disgrace'. Mr. Dave said the Election Commission has 'insulted the Constitution of India'. Asked by The Wire, how the Election Commission should respond, given that for three consecutive days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) Mr. Modi has continued to demonize Muslims and lie about the Congress manifesto, disregarding the notice issued by the Election Commission on Thursday, Mr. Dave said that the Election Commission should issue 'an interim direction' which would 'injunct' Mr. Modi from demonizing the Muslim community and speaking untruths about the Congress manifesto. I am only giving you the main broad points made by Mr. Dave. This is an extremely forceful and powerful interview. Mr. Dave makes clear that his view the Prime Minister has breached both the MCC and RPA has been expressed after due consideration and care and made as a thoughtful lawyer and not made polemically. I strongly recommend you see this interview."