The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): Members of the Karnataka Youth Congress orchestrated a demonstration outside the Bengaluru branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the bank’s request for more time to disclose electoral bonds information. The rally was sparked by the apex court’s refusal, emphasizing the demand for transparency in political financing.
A clip circulated by Srinivas B V, the national head of the Youth Congress, on the social media platform X, showcased police officers escorting protestors away from the premises. Srinivas applauded the Supreme Court’s decision as a triumph for transparency and accountability within a democratic framework, underscoring the importance of holding institutions answerable.
The directive came from a distinguished five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which also included Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra. The bench instructed the Election Commission (EC) to make the bank’s disclosed data available on its website by the evening of March 15.
Additionally, the court cautioned the SBI about potential consequences for not adhering to its February 15 judgment, which invalidated the government’s electoral bonds scheme for anonymous political donations. The scheme was deemed “unconstitutional,” and the court mandated that the EC reveal the names of donors, the amounts contributed, and the beneficiaries by March 13.
This landmark decision and subsequent protest highlight the ongoing struggle for greater transparency in the financing of political activities in India, drawing attention to the vital role of accountability in sustaining democratic values.
The event, covered with contributions from PTI, underscores the ongoing debate over electoral bonds and the quest for transparency in political contributions, emphasizing the judiciary’s role in shaping public discourse on governance and accountability.