Obituary: Prof. Jagdeep S. Chhokar
Lok Raj Sangathan expresses deep sorrow at the passing of Prof. Jagdeep S. Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms and an indefatigable campaigner for electoral transparency and democratic rights. A distinguished academic from IIM Ahmedabad, Prof. Chhokar dedicated his life to ensuring that elections in India reflect the will of the people, free of corruption and manipulation.
He was instrumental in important reforms such as the disclosure of criminal and financial records of candidates, and he played a leading role in challenging electoral bonds and the role of money power in elections. At the time of his passing away, he was playing an important role in the struggle against the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls ordered by the Central Election Commission for Bihar. He brought intellectual rigour, courage, and humility to public life, bridging the worlds of academia and activism.
LRS had the privilege of working closely with him and ADR, in jointly organising, with the Forum for Electoral Integrity, the round-table discussion “Elections sans Integrity: Democracy in Deep Distress.” His passing is a great loss to the struggle for reform of the electoral process with the aim to end the marginalisation of people from decision making.
Lok Raj Sangathan salutes his memory and commits to carrying forward for our work of mobilising the masses of people for changes in the political system and process so as to ensure the empowerment of people.
