Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Freezing democracy: On the Election Commission of India and West Bengal

Freezing democracy: On the Election Commission of India and West Bengal

The Election Commission of India is functioning as (के रूप में कार्य करना) a tool (साधन, माध्यम) of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal

Almost 28 years after Mamata Banerjee set up (स्थापित करना, गठित करना) the All India Trinamool Congress and designed its symbol of ‘grass and flowers’, the Election Commission of India (ECI) (भारत निर्वाचन आयोग) on September 17, 2026, froze the party’s name and symbol. The 14-page order (आदेश, निर्देश) stated that since two rival (प्रतिद्वंद्वी, प्रतिस्पर्धी) groups — one led by Ms. Banerjee and the other by Arup Roy — are now claiming (दावा करना) to be the party, the matter (मामला, विषय) requires “substantive (मूलभूत, महत्वपूर्ण) determination (निर्णय, निर्धारण)”, and neither (not the one nor the other of two people or things; not either, no one, not any one, none) group can use the party’s name or symbol. The ECI has allotted (आवंटित करना, निर्धारित करना) new names and symbols to both groups. The ECI’s move (कदम, कार्रवाई) has effectively (practically, essentially, fundamentally, basically) denied Ms. Banerjee of her party’s name and symbol. For nearly (लगभग, करीब-करीब) three decades (दशक, दस वर्ष की अवधि), crores of voters have placed their faith (complete trust or confidence in someone or something; trust, belief, confidence, conviction) in the party’s name and symbol, elected Ms. Banerjee as Chief Minister of West Bengal three times, and sent scores (a large number of things or people; many, numerous, multitude, large number; multitudes, crowds, masses, droves) as its MPs to Parliament. Even (indeed, surprisingly, actually, indeed, notably) in the April 2026 West Bengal Assembly (Under the Constitution of India, a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the elected House of the Legislature of a State. In a unicameral State, it functions as the sole legislative body, whereas in a bicameral State, it serves as the lower House alongside the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Under Article 170, its members (MLAs) are chosen through direct election from territorial constituencies) polls, 41% of the electorate (all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election; voters, constituents, voting public, electors), or more than (over, above, in excess of, greater than) 2.60 crore voters (cast a ballot, elect, opt, choose), voted for Ms. Banerjee’s party, while the margin (gap, difference, difference, lead, margin of victory) between it and the Bharatiya Janata Party was only about (just roughly or approximately) 32 lakh votes. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have said that similar attempts (effort, bid, endeavour, try) to freeze (formally suspend or block the legal recognition, use, or allocation of something, such as an entity’s name or symbol; halt, suspend, block, prohibit) the name and symbol were made in the case of (in respect of a particular situation; regarding, concerning, with reference to, as regards) the Shiv Sena, calling (term, name, label, designate) such (of the type previously mentioned; like that, of that kind, similar, corresponding) action of freezing the name and the symbol as “party theft (the act of illegally or unjustly taking control of a political party; political hijacking, party usurpation, political piracy, institutional seizure)” and a case (instance, example, demonstration, manifestation) of democratic decline (the progressive erosion or weakening of democratic institutions, electoral fairness, and constitutional norms; democratic backsliding, autocratic drift, erosion of democracy, institutional decay).

Political parties are organic (developing naturally and dynamically from within society rather than being artificially created or imposed; natural, evolving, intrinsic, self-grown, spontaneous) entities that keep democracy (लोकतंत्र, जनतंत्र) vibrant (lively, active, and full of energy; dynamic, lively, thriving ,spirited, energetic) and alive (active, functioning, existing, operative) and any attempts to engineer (to arrange or direct something skillfully or secretly; orchestrate, mastermind, manipulate, maneuver, contrive) their dissolution (disbandment, termination, suspension, conclusion) is an attack (assault, offensive, strike, onslaught) on the very (exact, actual, precise, specific) foundations (an underlying basis or principle; bedrock, basis, underpinning, base) of India’s democracy. If a political party has to wither away (to become weak and disappear; fade, diminish, languish, vanish; weaken, decline, deteriorate), it should happen only through (by means of; via, by way of, using, by virtue of) the determination (the collective decision, choice, or verdict made by a group or public; decision, resolution, conclusion, verdict) of the people. Serious questions have been raised about (bring an issue or question concerning something to attention; bring up, highlight, question, draw attention to) the role (function, capacity, position) of the ECI, which held the West Bengal Assembly polls (election, ballot, plebiscite) in 2026 after a hurriedly (in a quick or hasty manner; hastily, quickly, swiftly, rapidly) organised Special Intensive Revision (SIR) (an official process undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to comprehensively update and revise electoral rolls, specifically targeting the inclusion of newly eligible voters, removal of ineligible names, and correction of existing details before elections) of the electoral rolls (voter list, voting register, electoral register, voters’ list) that left lakhs of voters out, and is now freezing the name and symbol of the principal (first in order of importance; main, chief, primary, leading) Opposition party. Free and fair (relating to elections conducted through an independent, impartial, and credible electoral process, in which eligible citizens can participate equally and electoral outcomes are determined without improper influence or manipulation; just, impartial, unbiased, equitable, democratic) elections form (constitute, make up, comprise, establish) the bedrock (foundation, pillar, backbone, basis, core, cornerstone, underpinning) of the republic (under the Constitution of India, a form of government in which the head of the State is elected, directly or indirectly, and political authority is derived from the people rather than being hereditary; India is declared a “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic” in the Preamble to the Constitution; democracy, self-government, constitutional state). When political parties, which are engines (driver, force, catalyst, impetus, powerhouse, mechanism) for ensuring that the will (desire, wish, preference, determination, choice, mandate, inclination) of the electorate is reflected (demonstrate, show, display, manifest) through free (independent, unrestricted, unrestrained, autonomous) and fair (just, impartial, unbiased, equitable) elections, are dismantled (to take apart or destroy something gradually; take apart, deconstruct, break up, tear down) and stripped of their names and symbols, the ECI cannot absolve itself of responsibility or hide behind (to use something as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility; use as an excuse, take refuge in, conceal oneself behind, shield behind) processes and practices. The BJP leadership (the people or individuals directing and guiding an organisation or group; administration, management, high command) in West Bengal has repeatedly (over and over again; constantly, frequently, continually, consistently) claimed that, after the Assembly polls, there would be no existence (survival, continuation, actuality, presence) of the Trinamool Congress as a party. The ECI’s acts of omission and commission (Legal and administrative wrongdoing encompassing both the failure to perform a mandatory legal duty (omission) and the execution of an unlawful or prohibited act (commission). This phrase establishes comprehensive liability for both negligent inaction and wrongful action) clearly (obviously, evidently, apparently, unmistakably) suggest (indicate, hint, point to, imply) that it is acting in tandem with (together with; alongside, in conjunction with, cooperatively with, in partnership with) the interests (the advantage or benefit of a person or group; benefit, advantage, welfare, well-being) of the BJP.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.democracy (noun)

Hindi Meaning - लोकतंत्र, जनतंत्र
English Meaning - a constitutional system of government in which political authority ultimately derives from the people and is exercised through elected representatives, with political equality, universal adult suffrage, and constitutional guarantees of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity; popular government, representative government, self-government, popular rule, self-rule.

2.function as (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - के रूप में कार्य करना
English Meaning - act as, serve as, work as, perform as.

3.tool (noun)

Hindi Meaning - साधन, माध्यम
English Meaning - instrument, device, mechanism, medium, pawn, agent, vehicle.

4.set up (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - स्थापित करना, गठित करना
English Meaning - to establish or create something; establish, initiate, institute, found.

5.Election Commission of India (ECI) (noun)

Hindi Meaning - भारत निर्वाचन आयोग
English Meaning - an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India, established in 1950 under Article 324 of the Constitution.

6.order (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आदेश, निर्देश
English Meaning - an authoritative command, direction, or instruction; directive, command, decree, ruling.

7.rival (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिद्वंद्वी, प्रतिस्पर्धी
English Meaning - competing, opposing, conflicting, contending.

8.claim (verb)

Hindi Meaning - दावा करना
English Meaning - to state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence; assert, declare, profess, maintain.

9.matter (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मामला, विषय
English Meaning - a subject or situation under consideration; issue, affair, subject, concern.

10.substantive (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - मूलभूत, महत्वपूर्ण
English Meaning - relating to the main or essential issues of a matter, rather than procedural or temporary aspects; essential, material, fundamental, significant.

11.determination (noun)

Hindi Meaning - निर्णय, निर्धारण
English Meaning - a formal decision or finding reached after considering the relevant facts and issues; decision, finding, ruling, conclusion.

12.allot (verb)

Hindi Meaning - आवंटित करना, निर्धारित करना
English Meaning - allocate, assign, distribute, designate, grant.

13.move (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कदम, कार्रवाई
English Meaning - action, step, measure, initiative.

14.nearly (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - लगभग, करीब-करीब
English Meaning - very close to; almost, well-nigh, virtually, approximately.

15.decade (noun)

Hindi Meaning - दशक, दस वर्ष की अवधि
English Meaning - a period of ten years; ten-year period.

16.effectively (adverb)

English Meaning - practically, essentially, fundamentally, basically.

17.freeze (verb)

English Meaning - formally suspend or block the legal recognition, use, or allocation of something, such as an entity’s name or symbol; halt, suspend, block, prohibit.

18.neither (determiner)

English Meaning - not the one nor the other of two people or things; not either, no one, not any one, none.

19.substantive determination (legal phrase)

English Meaning - a determination of the merits and essential legal issues of a dispute, as distinct from an interim or merely procedural decision; in short, a firm decision made based on essential, meaningful, or considerable information; substantial decision, merits-based determination, final adjudication, conclusive determination, determination on merits, major conclusion, material judgment.

20.put/place one’s faith in (phrase)

English Meaning - trust or rely on someone or something with confidence; trust in, believe in, rely on, have confidence in.

21.faith (noun)

English Meaning - complete trust or confidence in someone or something; trust, belief, confidence, conviction.

22.scores (noun)

English Meaning - a large number of things or people; many, numerous, multitude, large number; multitudes, crowds, masses, droves.

23.even (adverb)

English Meaning - indeed, surprisingly, actually, indeed, notably.

24.Assembly (noun)

English Meaning - Under the Constitution of India, a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the elected House of the Legislature of a State. In a unicameral State, it functions as the sole legislative body, whereas in a bicameral State, it serves as the lower House alongside the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Under Article 170, its members (MLAs) are chosen through direct election from territorial constituencies.

25.electorate (noun)

English Meaning - all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election; voters, constituents, voting public, electors.

26.more than (phrase)

English Meaning - over, above, in excess of, greater than.

27.vote (verb)

English Meaning - cast a ballot, elect, opt, choose.

28.margin (noun)

English Meaning - gap, difference, difference, lead, margin of victory.

29.only about (phrase)

English Meaning - just roughly or approximately..

30.attempt (noun)

English Meaning - effort, bid, endeavour, try.

31.in the case of (phrase)

English Meaning - in respect of a particular situation; regarding, concerning, with reference to, as regards.

32.call (verb)

English Meaning - term, name, label, designate.

33.such (determiner)

English Meaning - of the type previously mentioned; like that, of that kind, similar, corresponding.

34.party theft (noun)

English Meaning - the act of illegally or unjustly taking control of a political party; political hijacking, party usurpation, political piracy, institutional seizure.

35.case (noun)

English Meaning - instance, example, demonstration, manifestation.

36.democratic decline (noun phrase)

English Meaning - the progressive erosion or weakening of democratic institutions, electoral fairness, and constitutional norms; democratic backsliding, autocratic drift, erosion of democracy, institutional decay.

37.decline (noun)

English Meaning - deterioration, degeneration, degradation, downturn.

38.organic (adjective)

English Meaning - developing naturally and dynamically from within society rather than being artificially created or imposed; natural, evolving, intrinsic, self-grown, spontaneous.

39.entity (noun)

English Meaning - organization, body, institution, establishment.

40.vibrant (adjective)

English Meaning - lively, active, and full of energy; dynamic, lively, thriving ,spirited, energetic.

41.alive (adjective)

English Meaning - active, functioning, existing, operative.

42.engineer (verb)

English Meaning - to arrange or direct something skillfully or secretly; orchestrate, mastermind, manipulate, maneuver, contrive.

43.dissolution (noun)

English Meaning - disbandment, termination, suspension, conclusion.

44.attack (noun)

English Meaning - assault, offensive, strike, onslaught.

45.very (adjective)

English Meaning - exact, actual, precise, specific.

46.foundation (noun)

English Meaning - an underlying basis or principle; bedrock, basis, underpinning, base.

47.very foundations (phrase)

English Meaning - the most basic and essential principles or structures on which something rests; fundamental basis, core principles, underlying structure, basic framework.

48.wither away (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to become weak and disappear; fade, diminish, languish, vanish; weaken, decline, deteriorate.

49.through (preposition)

English Meaning - by means of; via, by way of, using, by virtue of.

50.determination (noun)

English Meaning - the collective decision, choice, or verdict made by a group or public; decision, resolution, conclusion, verdict.

51.raise about (phrase)

English Meaning - bring an issue or question concerning something to attention; bring up, highlight, question, draw attention to.

52.role (noun)

English Meaning - function, capacity, position.

53.hold (verb)

English Meaning - conduct, organize, run.

54.poll (noun)

English Meaning - election, ballot, plebiscite.

55.hurriedly (adverb)

English Meaning - in a quick or hasty manner; hastily, quickly, swiftly, rapidly.

56.Special Intensive Revision (SIR) (noun)

English Meaning - an official process undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to comprehensively update and revise electoral rolls, specifically targeting the inclusion of newly eligible voters, removal of ineligible names, and correction of existing details before elections.

57.electoral roll (noun)

English Meaning - voter list, voting register, electoral register, voters’ list.

58.leave out (phrase)

English Meaning - exclude someone or something from a group, list, activity, or consideration; exclude, omit, overlook, disregard, disenfranchise, sideline, keep out.

59.principal (adjective)

English Meaning - first in order of importance; main, chief, primary, leading.

60.free and fair (phrase)

English Meaning - relating to elections conducted through an independent, impartial, and credible electoral process, in which eligible citizens can participate equally and electoral outcomes are determined without improper influence or manipulation; just, impartial, unbiased, equitable, democratic.

61.form (verb)

English Meaning - constitute, make up, comprise, establish.

62.bedrock (noun)

English Meaning - foundation, pillar, backbone, basis, core, cornerstone, underpinning.

63.the republic (noun)

English Meaning - under the Constitution of India, a form of government in which the head of the State is elected, directly or indirectly, and political authority is derived from the people rather than being hereditary; India is declared a “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic” in the Preamble to the Constitution; democracy, self-government, constitutional state.

64.engine (noun)

English Meaning - driver, force, catalyst, impetus, powerhouse, mechanism.

65.will (noun)

English Meaning - desire, wish, preference, determination, choice, mandate, inclination.

66.reflect (verb)

English Meaning - demonstrate, show, display, manifest.

67.free (adjective)

English Meaning - independent, unrestricted, unrestrained, autonomous.

68.fair (adjective)

English Meaning - just, impartial, unbiased, equitable.

69.dismantle (verb)

English Meaning - to take apart or destroy something gradually; take apart, deconstruct, break up, tear down.

70.strip of (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to deprive someone of something; deprive of, divest of, dispossess of, take away from.

71.absolve oneself of responsibility (phrase)

English Meaning - to declare oneself free from blame, guilt, or responsibility; exonerate oneself, clear oneself, excuse oneself, vindicate oneself.

72.hide behind (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to use something as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility; use as an excuse, take refuge in, conceal oneself behind, shield behind.

73.leadership (noun)

English Meaning - the people or individuals directing and guiding an organisation or group; administration, management, high command.

74.repeatedly (adverb)

English Meaning - over and over again; constantly, frequently, continually, consistently.

75.existence (noun)

English Meaning - survival, continuation, actuality, presence.

76.acts of omission and commission (phrase)

English Meaning - Legal and administrative wrongdoing encompassing both the failure to perform a mandatory legal duty (omission) and the execution of an unlawful or prohibited act (commission). This phrase establishes comprehensive liability for both negligent inaction and wrongful action.

77.clearly (adverb)

English Meaning - obviously, evidently, apparently, unmistakably.

78.suggest (verb)

English Meaning - indicate, hint, point to, imply.

79.in tandem with (phrase)

English Meaning - together with; alongside, in conjunction with, cooperatively with, in partnership with.

80.interest (noun)

English Meaning - the advantage or benefit of a person or group; benefit, advantage, welfare, well-being.