Mamata Banerjee's Poetic Resistance: 26 Verses Challenge Electoral Roll Revision
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has transformed her political dissent into literary art, authoring a collection of 26 poems titled 'SIR: 26 in 26' to protest against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state. This unique form of protest combines her creative expression with her legal battle against what she describes as a "hasty" process conducted by "BJP-minded" officials.
The Poetry of Protest: Themes and Titles
The collection, released on 22 January at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, features provocative titles that reflect the political tension surrounding the electoral roll revision:
- 'Panic'
- 'Doom'
- 'Mockery'
- 'Fight'
- 'Democracy'
- 'Who Is To Blame'
- 'Morgue'
In her introduction, Banerjee dedicates the book to "those who have lost their lives in this ruinous game" and alleges that a "relentless campaign of fear" has been unleashed on Bengal's people. The poems emerge from what she calls a "spirit of resistance" against what she perceives as targeted harassment of Trinamool Congress voters and statutory poll officials.
Legal Battle Meets Literary Expression
Banerjee's poetic protest coincides with her legal challenge against the Election Commission of India's SIR process. The Trinamool Congress chief is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court on 4 February, where she will seek permission to argue her pending petition in person. She has filed an interlocutory application requesting to appear and argue the case herself.
During an informal interaction with journalists in New Delhi, Banerjee revealed she wrote the entire collection in just three days while traveling, demonstrating her prolific creative output even amidst political turmoil.
Powerful Verses: Democracy Under Threat?
The poems contain stark imagery and direct political commentary. In 'Doom', she writes: "How long do we stay silent still? Silence does not mean peace—it means lives are falling, dripping away to nothing." The poem concludes with a defiant declaration: "We want answers. And answers will be given in people's court."
Another poem titled 'Morgue' presents an even darker perspective, alleging that "democracy is being beaten, scrubbed raw" and claiming that protest itself has fallen into the grip of "agency-raj."
The Multifaceted Leader: Beyond Politics
Banerjee's creative pursuits extend far beyond this recent collection. With 163 published books to her credit across multiple genres—including poetry, short stories, essays, and political commentary—she has established herself as one of India's most prolific politician-authors. She revealed that she doesn't draw a pension as a former MP and has forgone her chief minister's salary, relying instead on royalties from her creative works to sustain personal expenses.
Her artistic repertoire also includes:
- Painting, with exhibitions in India and internationally
- Song composition and lyric writing on diverse topics from social themes to human emotions
- Literary works that blend personal expression with political commentary
This latest poetic collection represents another chapter in Banerjee's long tradition of using creative expression as both personal outlet and political weapon, particularly as West Bengal prepares for upcoming elections and faces contentious electoral roll revisions.
