Dev Attends SIR Hearing in Kolkata, Highlights Civic Responsibility
On Wednesday, actor and three-time Trinamool MP Dev made a personal appearance at his Summary Inquiry Report (SIR) hearing in Kolkata. The hearing took place at the Katjunagar Swarnamayee Bidyapith centre around 12:30 PM. Dev spent approximately thirty minutes at the venue, where he complied with all official procedures.
A Blend of Bureaucracy and Celebrity
What was intended as a standard verification exercise quickly transformed into an unusual event. Assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs), booth-level officers (BLOs), a micro-observer, and other election officials were present. As part of the mandated process, officials took photographs with the elector called for the hearing.
Dev submitted all required documents, including his passport as proof of citizenship. The hearing concluded smoothly within half an hour. However, the atmosphere inside the centre became quite lively.
Selfie and Autograph Session
Dev later remarked that the hearing almost turned into a selfie and autograph distribution session. He received numerous requests from election officials during his stay. Despite this, he emphasized his decision to attend in person stemmed from a strong sense of civic duty.
"I did not come here as a celebrity or an MP. If I wanted, I could have sent a letter. I came here as a common man," Dev stated clearly. He underlined his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities as a citizen.
Political and Administrative Storm
Dev found himself unexpectedly at the centre of a political and administrative controversy last week. The Election Commission served him an SIR notice, which drew sharp reactions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress party.
Born in Ghatal, Dev spent his early years in Mumbai before returning to Bengal as his acting career flourished. He now resides permanently in Kolkata and has represented the Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency since 2014, winning three consecutive elections.
Concerns for Elderly and Infirm Voters
While Dev described his own hearing as straightforward, he expressed deep concerns about the broader SIR process. He stated he faced no personal difficulties but worried significantly about the hardship the process could cause to elderly and infirm voters.
Since receiving the notice, Dev said he received multiple calls from people struggling to comply with the requirements. One particular call came from an elderly co-actor from his film Prajapati 2, who lives alone and allegedly faced harassment during the hearing process.
Measured Response and Future Implications
After exiting the hearing centre, Dev struck a measured tone in his comments. He reiterated his worries about vulnerable voters while affirming his cooperation with the electoral authorities. The incident highlights the intersection of celebrity status, political representation, and administrative procedures in India's democratic framework.
The SIR hearing for Dev has brought attention to how election verification processes affect different segments of the population, particularly those who may find such procedures challenging due to age or health conditions.
