Jagdeep S. Chhokar, who worked for electoral reforms and transparency in India, passed away on Friday. The 81-year-old Chhokar died due to cardiac arrest.
New Delhi: Jagdeep S. Chhokar, a founding member of the Association of Democratic Reforms, passed away on Friday due to cardiac arrest. The 81-year-old Chhokar was known as an electoral reformer. Prof. Jagdeep S. Chhokar had served as Professor, Dean, and Officiating Director at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Prior to this, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the Indian Railways.
Jagdeep Chhokar's Educational and Professional Journey
Jagdeep Chhokar had served as Professor, Dean, and Officiating Director at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. Before that, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the Indian Railways. Prof. Chhokar utilized his expertise in education and administration to work extensively for electoral transparency and reforms in Indian democracy.
He was also the founding president of the civil society organization Aajeevika Bureau, which works on social issues related to internal migration in India. Additionally, Jagdeep Chhokar was known as a conscientious citizen, advocate, and bird lover.
Founding and Contribution of ADR
According to media reports, Jagdeep Chhokar suffered a heart attack at 3:30 AM. He had previously fractured his shoulder and was undergoing treatment. During this period, he had also contracted a lung infection. Through his associate and IIM colleague, Trilok Nath Shastri, he ventured into the fields of social and electoral reforms.
Jagdeep Chhokar founded the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in 1999. ADR was established by a group of professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. Its objective was to promote electoral and political reforms and ensure transparency in democracy.
During the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, Chhokar scrutinized the nomination papers of candidates contesting from Ahmedabad. This step raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability of candidates. This initiative marked a significant milestone towards democratic reforms in India. Jagdeep Chhokar and his colleagues filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court, demanding disclosure of the criminal, financial, and educational backgrounds of contesting candidates.
Based on this petition, the Supreme Court delivered judgments in 2002 and 2003, mandating that all contesting candidates must disclose their background by submitting an affidavit to the Election Commission.
