Regime change is a democratic right, not anti-national: Sibal hits back at BJP narrative

The BJP’s portrayal of demands for “regime change” as anti-national and a threat to democracy has drawn criticism from senior lawyer Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan, who argue that seeking a change of government through peaceful protests and constitutional means is a legitimate democratic right rather than an attempt to destabilise the country.

Sibal, a Rajya Sabha MP, hit back at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s allegation that the Congress and its allies were seeking Bangladesh-style regime change, declaring that it was the people, not the Opposition, who wanted a change of government.

Recalling the anti-corruption movement that helped bring the BJP to power, he accused the ruling establishment of subsequently embracing corruption, capturing institutions and manipulating electoral rolls, before concluding that it was “time to go” for the government.

Bhushan, meanwhile, said earlier this week that protests against alleged manipulation of electoral rolls through the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had become “a fight for regime change”, which he described as a democratic right of citizens.

The remarks have come amid a sharp exchange between the ruling party and the Opposition, with Singh accusing the Congress and its allies of exploiting youthful energy to foment political confrontation and spread anarchy rather than channel it towards constructive work and nation-building.

Senior BJP leaders, including party president Nitin Nabin and spokesperson Sambit Patra, have also alleged that the Opposition’s campaign reflects a design to provoke Bangladesh-style upheaval and seize power through disorder.

Critics, however, contend that the BJP’s argument conflates opposition to a government with opposition to the nation, overlooking the distinction between peaceful political dissent and unlawful conduct. They maintain that citizens must remain free to demand electoral accountability and a change of government, provided they act within constitutional boundaries.