Harvard scholars warn against attacks on India's constitutional institutions

A diverse group of Harvard scholars and professionals on Wednesday expressed deep concern over what it described as attacks on India's constitutional institutions, including the Enforcement Directorate, Election Commission, Supreme Court, the office of the Chief Justice of India and Parliament.

The group said dissent was a democratic right, but the credibility of institutions should not be undermined through allegations unsupported by evidence. It also raised concerns over reports that Harvard University's name had been used without appropriate authorisation to lend credibility to a political campaign.

In a statement on "Constitutional Responsibility, Rule of Law, and Institutional Integrity", the scholars described themselves as concerned citizens of India, the world's largest democracy. They said language portraying the country as being under "siege" and describing constitutional authorities as "thieves" or "compromised" raised serious questions about attempts to weaken public trust in democratic institutions.

The statement had 44 signatories, including lawyers, policymakers, civil servants, scientists and academics.

"We are deeply concerned by the negative public discourse and concerted campaign against India's constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, the office of the Honourable Chief Justice of India, and Parliament," the statement said.

The signatories said they had issued the statement with a deep sense of responsibility because, at such moments, silence could not be an excuse for indifference.

They said the actions of law enforcement agencies to maintain public order deserved fair scrutiny, but sweeping allegations and abusive rhetoric could not replace evidence, due process or institutional accountability.

"The dignity of public servants and the offices they hold must be respected. The Constitution, rule of law, and civil liberties must be respected at all times, not just when it suits our interests," the statement said.

"Our commitment must remain to the Constitution, not convenience; to justice, not selective outrage; and to democratic institutions, not the politics of accusation," it added.

The signatories included 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 reiterated that institutional actions should be fairly scrutinised while constitutional offices, the rule of law and civil liberties must be respected, and allegations should be supported by evidence and due process.