West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced legal action against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, calling it inhumane, and alleging fear, harassment, and arbitrary deletion of voters’ names across the state.
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KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that her government will approach the courts against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing authorities of carrying out the exercise in a manner that is “cruel, fearful, and inhuman.”
Speaking at a public gathering in Sagar Island, South 24 Parganas, the Chief Minister alleged that the voter list revision process has resulted in widespread distress among citizens, particularly the elderly and the seriously ill. According to her, the exercise has led to multiple deaths and hospital admissions due to anxiety and harassment.
Banerjee said the SIR, which is meant to be a routine administrative process, has instead become a tool of intimidation.
“People are living in fear. Names are being removed from voter lists without justification,”
she said, adding that many residents are worried they may lose their right to vote ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Chief Minister made strong allegations that senior citizens and terminally ill individuals are being compelled to physically appear and stand in long queues to establish their eligibility as voters.
She questioned the fairness of the process, saying such treatment violates basic human dignity.
“Would political leaders accept their own parents being forced to stand in line in such conditions?”
she asked.
Banerjee further alleged that the stress linked to the SIR process has had severe consequences. She claimed several people have died since the revision began, while others have been hospitalised, though she did not provide official figures.
“The fear created by this exercise has already taken lives,”
she said, describing the situation as unacceptable in a democratic system.
The Chief Minister confirmed that legal action would be initiated on Tuesday, and said she is also considering moving the Supreme Court if necessary.
“I will fight this not just as Chief Minister, but as an ordinary citizen. I am a trained lawyer, and I will plead against this injustice,”
Banerjee said.
Election authorities and the BJP have not yet issued a response to the allegations. The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, as West Bengal gears up for the next round of elections.
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