US, Oct. 8 -- Forty-two former judges and retired veterans of constitutional office have expressed concern over what they described as a sustained campaign against the Election Commission of India, the judiciary and other constitutional institutions.

In an open letter, the signatories said they had no political brief and were speaking out because "silence is no longer a neutral choice". They alleged that constitutional bodies were facing attacks driven by political interests and warned of the consequences of undermining public trust in the country's democratic institutions. "Our concern is grave. India's constitutional bodies are under sustained attack. The Election Commission of India stands at the centre of this assault," the letter r...