Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan on Thursday openly called for a change of government at the Centre, asserting that seeking a regime change through democratic means was a constitutional right and could not be treated as a conspiracy or an offence.
Speaking at a press conference in the national capital amid continuing protests over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restrictions on public demonstrations, Bhushan accused the BJP-led government of attempting to suppress dissent while portraying opposition mobilisation as a plot to destabilise the country.
"There will definitely be a regime change. We all want a regime change. Is there anything wrong with that?" Bhushan asked, rejecting suggestions that demands for a change in government were inherently unlawful.
He argued that the BJP had itself organised numerous protests seeking changes in government when it was in the opposition, and questioned why similar demands were now being described as conspiratorial.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
Bhushan maintained that citizens were entitled to oppose an elected government, criticise its policies and campaign for its replacement through constitutional and democratic processes. He said peaceful political dissent could not be equated with sedition merely because it generated disaffection against those in power.
Referring to judicial principles protecting freedom of expression, he argued that criticism of the government could not be criminalised in the absence of incitement to violence or public disorder. His remarks came as civil society organisations and opposition leaders continued to question the government's handling of demonstrations in Delhi.
Bhushan said the agitation had initially focused on protecting electoral democracy and challenging alleged irregularities in voter roll revisions. However, he alleged that the government's response to protesters had broadened the movement's objectives.
He accused the authorities of attempting to intimidate demonstrators through restrictions, detentions and heavy police deployment, claiming that such measures had instead strengthened opposition to the government.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗜𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The press conference took place against the backdrop of demonstrations opposing the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise and demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition parties and activist groups have alleged that the voter roll revision process has resulted in wrongful deletions and could affect the voting rights of eligible citizens. The allegations have become a major point of political confrontation, with protesters demanding greater transparency and scrutiny of the exercise.
Bhushan criticised the restrictions imposed in central Delhi during the recent protests, arguing that authorities should have facilitated peaceful assembly instead of imposing extensive curbs on movement and public gatherings.
He questioned the government's approach to demonstrations around Jantar Mantar, traditionally associated with political protests in the capital, and said citizens must be allowed to express disagreement with those in power.
The press conference was also attended by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijit Dipke, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, actor Prakash Raj and student leader Neha Bora. Participants raised concerns about the detention of activists and called for the restoration of spaces for peaceful public protest.
𝗕𝗝𝗣 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆
The BJP reacted sharply to Bhushan's remarks, accusing opposition leaders and activists of coordinating a campaign aimed at weakening democratic institutions.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several activists were working towards a common political objective. He claimed their activities threatened the constitutional framework and democratic stability.
The allegations were rejected in substance by Bhushan, who argued that advocating a change in government was a legitimate political objective in a democracy and should not be confused with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.
His comments have sharpened the debate over the distinction between lawful political mobilisation and allegations of destabilisation, particularly as protests against the Election Commission continue to draw support from opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups.
𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Bhushan said the movement would increasingly be led by students and young people, with civil society organisations and political parties extending their support.
He maintained that the campaign was not merely about replacing one government with another but also about defending electoral rights, protecting democratic institutions and ensuring that citizens could protest without fear of intimidation.
The senior advocate's declaration that the agitation was now a fight for regime change is likely to intensify the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition-backed protesters.
With demands for the restoration of protest rights and scrutiny of the SIR exercise continuing, Bhushan's remarks have brought the question of democratic dissent and the legitimacy of campaigns for political change into sharper focus.