Jayapal Compares India’s Voter Roll Deletions To Trump’s Voting Rights Actions

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) on October 14 expressed concern over reports that 13 crore names had been removed from draft electoral rolls in India, comparing the move to actions by the Trump administration that she said threatened voting rights in the United States.

In a post on X, Jayapal said she supported non-violent protests against what she described as anti-democratic efforts in India.

“I am deeply concerned about the actions of the Indian government to purge 130 million people from the voting rolls,” Jayapal wrote. “This appears to be a similar playbook to what the Trump Administration is doing here at home to undermine voting rights in a democracy.”

She emphasized the importance of protecting democratic institutions worldwide, saying people in both countries deserved free and fair elections.

“People in India and the US deserve free and fair elections,” Jayapal said, adding that non-violent resistance was essential in moments when democratic rights were at stake.

“Non-violent resistance movements are essential in these moments and I stand with the Indian people who are engaging in non-violent protests to counter anti-democratic efforts in India,” she wrote.

Jayapal’s comments brought attention in Washington to the reported deletions from India’s draft electoral rolls and the protests opposing the revision process.