The Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan,
Ashoka Road,
New Delhi – 110001
Urging to issue directive under Model Code of Conduct
Not to use the name of the profession of ‘Chowkidar’ for Election purpose
Sirs,
- I am an all India functionary of the central trade union namely the ‘Centre of Indian Trade Unions’ (briefly called as ‘CITU’) which has currently more than 55 lakh workers as members across the country.
- ‘Chowkidar’ is the name of the profession under Chowkidari Acts, both of Centre and of all States.
- The ‘Chowkidars’ are sufferers of economic and social injustice and are deprived of reasonable job security, minimum wage and social security. They are organised in trade unions at some places, which are registered under Trade Unions Act, 1926 and which bears name ‘Chowkidars’, commensurate with the name of their profession. They are pursuing their just demands agitationally and legally in different parts of the country.
- At this juncture, their professional name ‘Chowkidar’ has been usurped by several political parties and prominent persons, who are contesting the 17th Lok Sabha election including the present Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, for electoral propaganda purposes either to project ‘Chowkidari’ as a high profile job (which in reality is not) or lampooning the name of this profession.
- The use of the professional name of ‘Chowkidar’, as being used in the election propaganda by the political parties and candidates, as illegal, unfair, misleading and insulting and, therefore, urge you to issue urgent directive under Model Code of Conduct not to use the professional names of ‘Chowkidar’ for the 17th Lok Sabha election.
Yours Sincerely
(J. S. Majumdar)