United stand: On protests against SIR

United stand: On protests against SIR

Protests against SIR are a recognition that it could subvert popular will

The gathering (सभा, जमावड़ा) of hundreds of thousands of people at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, organised by the Congress-led INDIA bloc parties, was a milestone (मील का पत्थर) in the battle for the restoration (बहाली, पुनर्स्थापना) of the integrity (fairness, soundness, transparency, probity) of India’s election process. As more and more (अधिक से अधिक, लगातार बढ़ते हुए) skeletons tumble out the of the closet of the Election Commission of India (ECI) (भारत निर्वाचन आयोग), its chief Gyanesh Kumar has chosen silence (चुप्पी, मौन) while the ruling (governing, controlling, commanding, prevailing) BJP has rushed to (do something with urgent haste; hurry, dash, hasten, scurry) shield (बचाना, सुरक्षा प्रदान करना) him from criticism (आलोचना, निंदा). The united outcry (तीव्र विरोध, जनआक्रोश) of protest by the Opposition (विपक्ष), led by the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, is a strong signal of public opinion (जनमत, लोकमत) for the ruling party and India’s institutions (संस्था, संस्थान), including the ECI, that appear (give a particular impression; seem, look, show, manifest) complicit (involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing; colluding, conniving, involved, associated) in a scheme (योजना, कार्ययोजना) that threatens (endanger, jeopardize, imperil, risk) the foundations (आधार, नींव) of Indian democracy (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). What remains unexplained (unaccounted for, unresolved, mysterious, puzzling) by the ECI and Mr. Kumar are malpractices (misconduct, wrongdoing, impropriety, transgression) in the Special Intensive Revision (विशेष गहन पुनरीक्षण) that could have the effect (result, consequence, outcome, repercussion) of subverting (undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution; destabilize, sabotage, weaken, compromise) the popular will (the desires and preferences of the general public, especially as expressed through voting; public choice, collective desire, people’s mandate, general consensus). Protestors on Sunday had arrived (reach, turn up, gather, assemble) from all parts of India, and included people directly affected by the SIR across (throughout, all over) the country.

The protest reinforced (strengthen, fortify, bolster, support) Mr. Gandhi’s central role (main part, primary function, crucial role, pivotal position) as the key (of crucial importance; crucial, vital, essential, pivotal) challenger (competitor, contender, opponent, rival) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Gandhi, for all his faults (defect, flaw, imperfection, shortcoming), has been an uncompromising (inflexible, resolute, steadfast, unyielding) champion (a person who vigorously supports or defends a person or cause; advocate, proponent, promoter, supporter) of constitutional values (a fundamental principle or ideal outlined in a nation’s constitution that guides its governance and laws; democratic ideal, fundamental principle) and pluralism (a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc., coexist; diversity, multiplicity, inclusiveness, multiculturalism) in India. The BJP caricatured (make or give a comically or grotesquely exaggerated representation of someone or something; mock, parody, distort, ridicule) him, and even non-BJP voices (opinion, view, perspective, stance) had bought into the idea of Mr. Gandhi being a privileged (having special rights, advantages, or immunities; elite, advantaged, favoured, fortunate) dynast (a member of a powerful family, especially a hereditary ruler or a political figure from a family with a long history of power; hereditary leader, scion, heir, patrician) out of touch (lacking knowledge or awareness of current events, information, or how people feel; disconnected, unaware, uninformed, oblivious) with the commoner (ordinary person, regular citizen, layman). While his ancestry (one’s family or ethnic descent; lineage, descent, origin, heritage) is a matter of fact (something that is strictly true and cannot be disputed; reality, certainty, truth, undeniable reality), so is (used to indicate that something else is also true in the same way; similarly true, equally valid, also the case, likewise) his tenacity (determination, perseverance, persistence, resolve). All Opposition parties mobilised (organize and encourage people to act in a concerted way in order to bring about a particular political objective; rally, marshal, muster, assemble) for the protest, but the centrality (importance, significance, prominence, crucialness) of the Congress party was unmistakable (very distinctive; undeniable, unambiguous, clear, obvious). Mr. Gandhi has a special focus on subaltern (of lower status, socially, politically, and geographically outside of the hegemonic power structure; marginalized, oppressed, underprivileged, subordinate) classes to be included in positions of responsibility (duty, obligation, accountability, charge) in the party. The Sunday protest was clearly (obviously, evidently, plainly, undeniably) the largest show of strength (a demonstration of power or determination, intended to intimidate or impress; display of power, demonstration of force, assertion of dominance, exhibition of might) in recent memory (lately, recently, in current times, of late). The manner in which the Congress coordinated with the wide spectrum (a wide range of different people, opinions, or things; range, array, sweep, scope) of the Opposition, often (frequently; many times; frequently, regularly, repeatedly, habitually) involving rivals (opponent, competitor, contender, adversary) in States, also indicates a clear sense of purpose (a feeling of having a clear aim or intention; resolve, determination, motivation, clear objective) and pragmatism (a practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching situations or solving problems; practicality, realism, common sense, logicalness). The call (a demand or appeal for something to happen; plea, appeal, request, demand) for the restoration of institutional integrity (the commitment of an organization to uphold ethical standards, transparency, and its intended mandate; organizational honesty, structural soundness, systemic fairness, institutional credibility) is the need of the hour; (the most essential requirement at the present moment; crucial requirement, primary necessity, urgent demand, top priority) but Mr. Gandhi must be careful not to misstate (misrepresent, distort, falsify, misreport) the nature of the crisis. In his well-reasoned (logically sound and well thought out; logical, rational, sound, justifiable) call for accountability (responsibility; answerability, liability, blameworthiness, culpability) of the ECI, Mr. Gandhi ended up (finally be in a particular place or situation; finish up, arrive, find oneself, turn out to be) questioning (express doubt about or object to something; dispute, challenge, doubt, query) the legitimacy (conformity to the law or to rules; validity, legality, authenticity, lawfulness) of the previous election without providing any substantive (substantial, significant, meaningful, firm) basis for his allegations (charge, accusation, claim, assertion). He must remember that his emergence (appearance, arrival, coming, rise) as the voice of the Opposition places on (assign a duty, responsibility, or burden to someone; impose on, assign to, entrust to, lay on) him the responsibility of being measured (carefully considered and deliberate; thoughtful, calculated, careful, restrained) in his speeches (a formal address or discourse delivered to an audience; address, talk, discourse) and his steps (a measure, move, action, initiative (taken in order to deal with or achieve a particular thing)).

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Special Intensive Revision (SIR) (noun)

Hindi Meaning - विशेष गहन पुनरीक्षण
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.

2.gathering (noun)

Hindi Meaning - सभा, जमावड़ा
English Meaning - an assembly or meeting of people; congregation, assembly, convention, rally.

3.milestone (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मील का पत्थर
English Meaning - a significant event or stage in the life, progress, or development of something; landmark, watershed, turning point, breakthrough.

4.restoration (noun)

Hindi Meaning - बहाली, पुनर्स्थापना
English Meaning - the act of returning something to a former condition; reinstatement, re-establishment, return, revival.

5.more and more (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - अधिक से अधिक, लगातार बढ़ते हुए
English Meaning - to an increasing extent or degree; increasingly, progressively, continuously, steadily.

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

Hindi Meaning - भारत निर्वाचन आयोग
English Meaning - A permanent, autonomous constitutional body established on 25 January 1950 under Article 324 of the Constitution to administer and ensure free and fair elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.

7.silence (noun)

Hindi Meaning - चुप्पी, मौन
English Meaning - muteness, speechlessness, reticence, taciturnity.

8.shield (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बचाना, सुरक्षा प्रदान करना
English Meaning - protect, defend, safeguard, secure.

9.criticism (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आलोचना, निंदा
English Meaning - condemnation, censure, denunciation, disapproval.

10.outcry (noun)

Hindi Meaning - तीव्र विरोध, जनआक्रोश
English Meaning - a strong expression of public disapproval or anger; uproar, protest, clamour, commotion.

11.the Opposition (noun)

Hindi Meaning - विपक्ष
English Meaning - the political parties in a legislature that are not part of the government; opposing parties, non-ruling parties, political rivals, counter-bloc.

12.public opinion (noun)

Hindi Meaning - जनमत, लोकमत
English Meaning - the collective views or attitudes of a population; public sentiment, general belief, popular sentiment, collective attitude.

13.institution (noun)

Hindi Meaning - संस्था, संस्थान
English Meaning - an established official organization having an important role in the country; organization, establishment, body, agency.

14.scheme (noun)

Hindi Meaning - योजना, कार्ययोजना
English Meaning - a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect; plan, project, programme, strategy.

15.foundation (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आधार, नींव
English Meaning - the underlying basis or principle for something; base, basis, bedrock, footing.

16.popular will (noun)

English Meaning - the desires and preferences of the general public, especially as expressed through voting; public choice, collective desire, people’s mandate, general consensus.

17.recognition (noun)

English Meaning - acknowledgment of something as valid or true; validation, realization, awareness, acceptance.

18.integrity (noun)

English Meaning - fairness, soundness, transparency, probity.

19.ruling (adjective)

English Meaning - governing, controlling, commanding, prevailing.

20.rush to (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - do something with urgent haste; hurry, dash, hasten, scurry.

21.appear (verb)

English Meaning - give a particular impression; seem, look, show, manifest.

22.complicit (adjective)

English Meaning - involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing; colluding, conniving, involved, associated.

23.subvert (verb)

English Meaning - undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution; destabilize, sabotage, weaken, compromise.

24.skeleton tumble out of the closet (phrase)

English Meaning - an unexpected revelation of a hidden and potentially damaging secret; hidden secret, dark secret, concealed fact, shocking revelation.

25.threaten (verb)

English Meaning - endanger, jeopardize, imperil, risk.

26.democracy (noun)

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.

27.unexplained (adjective)

English Meaning - unaccounted for, unresolved, mysterious, puzzling.

28.malpractice (noun)

English Meaning - misconduct, wrongdoing, impropriety, transgression.

29.effect (noun)

English Meaning - result, consequence, outcome, repercussion.

30.arrive (verb)

English Meaning - reach, turn up, gather, assemble.

31.across (preposition)

English Meaning - throughout, all over.

32.reinforce (verb)

English Meaning - strengthen, fortify, bolster, support.

33.central role (noun)

English Meaning - main part, primary function, crucial role, pivotal position.

34.key (adjective)

English Meaning - of crucial importance; crucial, vital, essential, pivotal.

35.challenger (noun)

English Meaning - competitor, contender, opponent, rival.

36.fault (noun)

English Meaning - defect, flaw, imperfection, shortcoming.

37.uncompromising (adjective)

English Meaning - inflexible, resolute, steadfast, unyielding.

38.champion (noun)

English Meaning - a person who vigorously supports or defends a person or cause; advocate, proponent, promoter, supporter.

39.constitutional value (noun)

English Meaning - a fundamental principle or ideal outlined in a nation’s constitution that guides its governance and laws; democratic ideal, fundamental principle.

40.pluralism (noun)

English Meaning - a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc., coexist; diversity, multiplicity, inclusiveness, multiculturalism.

41.caricature (verb)

English Meaning - make or give a comically or grotesquely exaggerated representation of someone or something; mock, parody, distort, ridicule.

42.voice (noun)

English Meaning - opinion, view, perspective, stance.

43.buy into (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - accept the truth of or agree with a belief, idea, or concept; accept, believe, subscribe to, endorse.

44.privileged (adjective)

English Meaning - having special rights, advantages, or immunities; elite, advantaged, favoured, fortunate.

45.dynast (noun)

English Meaning - a member of a powerful family, especially a hereditary ruler or a political figure from a family with a long history of power; hereditary leader, scion, heir, patrician.

46.out of touch (phrase)

English Meaning - lacking knowledge or awareness of current events, information, or how people feel; disconnected, unaware, uninformed, oblivious.

47.commoner (noun)

English Meaning - ordinary person, regular citizen, layman.

48.ancestry (noun)

English Meaning - one’s family or ethnic descent; lineage, descent, origin, heritage.

49.a matter of fact (phrase)

English Meaning - something that is strictly true and cannot be disputed; reality, certainty, truth, undeniable reality.

50.so is (phrase)

English Meaning - used to indicate that something else is also true in the same way; similarly true, equally valid, also the case, likewise.

51.tenacity (noun)

English Meaning - determination, perseverance, persistence, resolve.

52.mobilise (verb)

English Meaning - organize and encourage people to act in a concerted way in order to bring about a particular political objective; rally, marshal, muster, assemble.

53.centrality (noun)

English Meaning - importance, significance, prominence, crucialness.

54.unmistakable (adjective)

English Meaning - very distinctive; undeniable, unambiguous, clear, obvious.

55.subaltern (adjective)

English Meaning - of lower status, socially, politically, and geographically outside of the hegemonic power structure; marginalized, oppressed, underprivileged, subordinate.

56.responsibility (noun)

English Meaning - duty, obligation, accountability, charge.

57.clearly (adverb)

English Meaning - obviously, evidently, plainly, undeniably.

58.show of strength (phrase)

English Meaning - a demonstration of power or determination, intended to intimidate or impress; display of power, demonstration of force, assertion of dominance, exhibition of might.

59.in recent memory (phrase)

English Meaning - lately, recently, in current times, of late.

60.spectrum (noun)

English Meaning - a wide range of different people, opinions, or things; range, array, sweep, scope.

61.often (adverb)

English Meaning - frequently; many times; frequently, regularly, repeatedly, habitually.

62.rival (noun)

English Meaning - opponent, competitor, contender, adversary.

63.sense of purpose (phrase)

English Meaning - a feeling of having a clear aim or intention; resolve, determination, motivation, clear objective.

64.pragmatism (noun)

English Meaning - a practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching situations or solving problems; practicality, realism, common sense, logicalness.

65.call (noun)

English Meaning - a demand or appeal for something to happen; plea, appeal, request, demand.

66.institutional integrity (noun)

English Meaning - the commitment of an organization to uphold ethical standards, transparency, and its intended mandate; organizational honesty, structural soundness, systemic fairness, institutional credibility.

67.the need of the hour (phrase)

English Meaning - the most essential requirement at the present moment; crucial requirement, primary necessity, urgent demand, top priority.

68.misstate (verb)

English Meaning - misrepresent, distort, falsify, misreport.

69.well-reasoned (adjective)

English Meaning - logically sound and well thought out; logical, rational, sound, justifiable.

70.accountability (noun)

English Meaning - responsibility; answerability, liability, blameworthiness, culpability.

71.end up (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - finally be in a particular place or situation; finish up, arrive, find oneself, turn out to be.

72.question (verb)

English Meaning - express doubt about or object to something; dispute, challenge, doubt, query.

73.legitimacy (noun)

English Meaning - conformity to the law or to rules; validity, legality, authenticity, lawfulness.

74.substantive (adjective)

English Meaning - substantial, significant, meaningful, firm.

75.allegation (noun)

English Meaning - charge, accusation, claim, assertion.

76.emergence (noun)

English Meaning - appearance, arrival, coming, rise.

77.place on (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - assign a duty, responsibility, or burden to someone; impose on, assign to, entrust to, lay on.

78.measured (adjective)

English Meaning - carefully considered and deliberate; thoughtful, calculated, careful, restrained.

79.speech (noun)

English Meaning - a formal address or discourse delivered to an audience; address, talk, discourse.

80.step (noun)

English Meaning - a measure, move, action, initiative (taken in order to deal with or achieve a particular thing).