New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- A group of former judges and retired holders of constitutional offices has issued an open letter urging political parties, the media and citizens to defend India's constitutional institutions, while expressing concern over what they described as a sustained campaign against the Election Commission of India, the higher judiciary and statutory bodies.

In the letter dated October 7, the signatories said they were writing "as former judges and retired veterans of constitutional office" and had no brief for any political party.

They said criticism of institutions was a democratic right, but alleged that constitutional authorities were increasingly being described as "thieves", "puppets" and "compromised" without such all...