An 85-year-old man from West Bengal's Hooghly district has died, with his family directly linking his death to the stress and anxiety caused by a notice for a citizenship verification hearing. The incident has sparked questions about the process and its impact on elderly citizens.
What Happened to Dhananjay Chaturvedi?
Dhananjay Chaturvedi, a resident of Rishra, passed away on Thursday. The elderly man had been admitted to the Rishra Maternity Hospital on December 29, the same day a notice from the Block Level Officer (BLO) for a Summary Inquiry Report (SIR) hearing was issued. The hearing was scheduled for Sunday.
His son, Rajendra Chaturvedi, stated that his father had been unwell for some time and was largely bedridden at home. However, he remained acutely aware of the SIR proceedings. "He was worried about where to go for the hearing, how to get there, and what would happen if his name was removed," Rajendra explained. The family firmly believes that the anxiety stemming from the SIR hearing notice led to his deterioration and eventual death.
A Family's Anguish and Questions
Rajendra Chaturvedi revealed that his father used to work at a school in Kolkata's Burrabazar area. The family had lived in Kolkata's Rabindra Sarani and NS Road localities before shifting to Rishra two years ago. Adding to their distress, Rajendra himself has been summoned for a hearing on January 5.
He raised serious concerns about the methodology of the Election Commission's verification drive. "Why is the EC harassing elderly and sick people who have all their documents in order?" he questioned. The case has drawn attention from local authorities as well.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Vijay Sagar Mishra, the chairman of Rishra Municipality, called the situation shameful. "It is shameful that even at this age, a person had to prove their Indian citizenship," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Manoj Singh, a BJP councillor from Rishra, offered a different perspective on the cause of death, attributing it to a medical condition. "The elderly man's potassium levels dropped. He was old and unwell," Singh stated. Despite this, the family's allegations have ignited a debate on the human cost of bureaucratic processes, especially for the vulnerable and aged population.
The death of Dhananjay Chaturvedi underscores the tension and fear surrounding the citizenship verification process in the state, putting a spotlight on its implementation and impact on ordinary citizens.
