A group of 44 Harvard scholars and professionals has urged respect for India’s constitutional institutions and the rule of law.
The group expressed concern over what it described as a campaign against constitutional bodies, including the Enforcement Directorate, Election Commission, Supreme Court, the office of the Chief Justice of India and Parliament.
In a statement titled Constitutional Responsibility, Rule of Law, and Institutional Integrity, issued on October 14, the signatories said democratic dissent must remain protected but allegations against public institutions should be supported by evidence and subjected to due process.
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What Concerns Did the Scholars Raise?
The 44 signatories, including lawyers, policymakers, civil servants, scientists and academics, described themselves as concerned citizens of India. They objected to language portraying the country as being under siege and describing constitutional authorities as thieves or compromised.
According to the group, such accusations risk weakening public confidence in democratic institutions when they are not supported by credible evidence. The signatories also expressed concern over claims that Harvard University’s name had been used without appropriate authorisation to lend credibility to a political campaign.
What Did They Say About Democratic Dissent?
The scholars acknowledged that disagreement with government decisions and scrutiny of law enforcement agencies are legitimate elements of democracy. However, they argued that criticism should distinguish between evidence-based allegations and sweeping accusations against institutions.
They maintained that the actions of enforcement agencies must be examined fairly, while institutional accountability, legal procedures and the dignity of public servants should be respected.
The statement emphasised that constitutional principles and civil liberties must apply consistently, regardless of political circumstances.
Who Signed the Statement?
The statement carried 44 signatures from individuals associated with different professional backgrounds.
Among the named signatories were Rajat Sethi, A K Raghawan, Abhigyan Satyam, Abhishek M, Adhitya Srinivasan, Aditya Kulshreshtha, Akash Sabarwal, Udaya Birje Raghunath, Priyambada Mishra, Sujeet Kumar, Richa Arya and Rashmini Koparkar.
The group said its intervention reflected a sense of civic responsibility and concern about the quality of public debate surrounding India’s constitutional institutions. It maintained that remaining silent amid such disagreements should not become an excuse for indifference to constitutional responsibilities.
What Is Their Message on Institutional Accountability?
The signatories called for public debate grounded in verifiable facts, constitutional safeguards and respect for legal processes. They argued that democratic institutions should remain open to scrutiny without being subjected to unsupported allegations that could undermine their credibility.
The group stressed that commitment to constitutional principles should take precedence over political convenience or selective criticism.
Its statement ultimately called for a balance between the right to question institutions and the responsibility to support serious accusations with evidence.
The statement raises a central question in democratic accountability: how to preserve public confidence in institutions while ensuring their actions remain open to legitimate scrutiny.
Evidence, due process and constitutional safeguards are essential to both objectives. Protecting institutional credibility should not prevent justified criticism, just as the right to dissent does not remove the responsibility to substantiate allegations.
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