Malerkotla girl raises concern over seeking votes in name of religion

Divya Sharma, a law student from the district, recently participated as the sole female delegate representing Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the only female Member of Parliament from Punjab, at the 'All India Political Parties Meet' organised under the Model United Nations Conference at the University of Delhi. During the conference, Sharma highlighted several pressing issues related to the implementation of Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

In her speech, Sharma expressed concern over the widespread violation of the Act, which prohibits candidates and their associates from making appeals to voters based on religion, caste, community and language. She cautioned political parties and candidates were exacerbating divisions by seeking votes in the name of caste and creed, while also promoting their affiliations with deities and religious leaders from various sects.

Although the Act allows for penalties including fines, imprisonment or both for violations, Sharma pointed out no significant action has ever been taken against such offenses. She further criticised the dark stains on Indian democracy, citing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 2002 Gujarat riots and the 2013 Muzaffarnagar violence as examples of communal violence that have marred the nation’s democratic fabric.

Sharma also raised the issue of censorship, questioning the ban on the biopic ‘Punjab 95’, which tells the story of a human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra. She compared the situation to the acceptance of films such as ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story’, which were allowed on the grounds of revealing ‘ugliest truths’. She concluded her speech by asking, "If these films can be released, then what is wrong with allowing ‘Punjab 95’?"

Divya Sharma was shortlisted for participation in the Model United Nations Conference at the AIPPM, which concluded at the University of Delhi on Saturday. She was invited to serve as a delegate for Harsimrat Kaur Badal during the session.