IIM Calcutta Professor's Voting Rights Stripped After Name Deleted from Electoral Rolls
A 38-year-old assistant professor at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM-Calcutta) has been unexpectedly removed from the electoral rolls, despite having exercised her voting rights consistently since 2009. The academic, who comes from a family with a strong legacy of service to the nation, has filed an appeal before the tribunal, challenging what she describes as a grave injustice.
Family Legacy and Voting History
The professor, an alumnus of Jadavpur University (JU), has been a dedicated voter in the Jadavpur constituency. "I have been a voter of Jadavpur constituency. I have voted since 2009," she stated emphatically. Her family background includes her father and grandfather, both of whom served in the Indian Air Force, with her father passing away in 2022. This military heritage underscores her commitment to civic duties.
Process and Procedural Lapses
In an effort to update her voter registration, she filled out the enumeration form online, linking herself to her grandfather, who was a voter in the Ballygunge area. She also submitted Form 8 to request a change of address to the Rashbehari constituency. All necessary documents proving her linkage were uploaded as part of the process.
Initially, her name appeared on the draft electoral list published in December. However, on February 28, she discovered her name was under adjudication on the final list. By March 31, it was completely deleted. She claimed to have not been called for any hearing, highlighting a significant procedural gap.
Criticism of the SIR Process
The assistant professor did not mince words in her criticism of the Summary Revision (SIR) process. "They are making mistakes because they are overwhelmed. This is a grave problem. There is a callousness in how the SIR process was carried out hurriedly. If it happened over two years, it would be fair," she explained. She expressed frustration that even if the error is corrected later, she will be unable to cast her vote in the upcoming elections, a fundamental right she has upheld for over a decade.
Unjust Treatment and Call to Action
Dubbing the situation as injustice, she revealed that she has been instructed to apply as a new voter using Form 6. "Why will I fill Form 6? I am not a new voter. I have been voting from 2009," she questioned, pointing out the absurdity of the request. This case raises serious concerns about the efficiency and fairness of electoral roll management, especially for long-standing voters.
As a faculty member who has taught at IIM branches in Kashipur, Lucknow, and Calcutta, her experience underscores broader issues in voter registration systems. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for more meticulous and transparent processes to protect democratic rights.
