Shyam Rangeela, originally known as Shyam Sunder, hails from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. He is not only an Indian comedian but also a politician. With aspirations to contest the 2024 Indian general elections as an Independent candidate from the Varanasi constituency, Rangeela found himself in a predicament when his nomination faced rejection.
A nomination paper is a crucial document that candidates must submit to participate in elections. This paper contains vital information about the candidate, including personal details, electoral specifics, and required declarations and oaths.
The Returning Officer (RO) for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency rejected Shyam Rangeela's nomination, citing incompleteness as the primary reason. The rejection stemmed from Rangeela's failure to meet the requirements outlined under Article 84 of the Constitution of India.
Article 84 specifies the qualifications a person must possess to be eligible for selection as a member of Parliament. These include:
To fulfill the oath requirement, the aspiring candidate must read the oath aloud to the authorized officer and sign the nomination papers. Although Shyam Rangeela signed the papers, he neglected to read the oath aloud. This oversight resulted in the incompleteness of his nomination and its subsequent rejection by the RO.
If Shyam Rangeela intends to contest the rejection of his nomination, he must wait until after the elections. Issues related to elections can only be addressed by the courts, specifically the High Court, following the conclusion of the electoral process. During the election period, the courts are not authorized to handle such cases. For now, Shyam will have to set aside his comedic routines, pondering whether the Returning Officer truly had the last laugh.
Interestingly, the Madras High Court ruled in 2021 that the right to be funny is protected under Article 19(1)(a), which ensures freedom of speech and expression. Perhaps there is still hope for Shyam Rangeela yet!
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