Kolkata Forum Stages Protest at CEO Office Over SIR Process and Voter Rights
On Tuesday, a significant protest unfolded at the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Kolkata. The Bangla Ekata Manch, a forum dedicated to social welfare and advocating for underprivileged and marginalized communities, organized the demonstration. The group raised serious humanitarian and democratic concerns surrounding the SIR process in Bengal.
Delegation Submits Letter and Voices Issues
A five-member delegation from the forum submitted a formal letter to the CEO office. This team included notable figures such as actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay, director Indradip Dasgupta, and Trinamool spokesperson Tanmoy Ghosh. After submitting the letter, the members publicly addressed various issues linked to the SIR process. They highlighted alleged harassment faced by people across Bengal.
Vulnerable Communities Living in Fear
The forum emphasized that vulnerable sections of society are experiencing widespread distress. Daily wage earners, migrant workers, elderly citizens, transgenders, minorities, and economically weaker communities are living in fear. Their voting rights are under threat, leading to confusion and a sharp decline in public confidence in the electoral process.
Parambrata Chattopadhyay spoke passionately about the situation. He stated that many individuals lack the prescribed documents required by the process. "In this country, every state has a different identity," he remarked. "Setting a homogeneous pattern for every state and its citizens is not right." He further explained that showing multiple papers is becoming mandatory for accessing various schemes. Even citizenship is being questioned, adding to the anxiety.
Concerns Over Distinguished Citizens
The protest also raised alarms about the dignity, security, and democratic rights of Bengal's distinguished citizens. Names of prominent public figures like Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and poet Joy Goswami are under suspicion or investigation. This scrutiny has sparked further concerns about fairness and transparency.
Chaos and Harassment Allegations
Tanmoy Ghosh voiced strong criticism regarding the timeline of the SIR process. "This time they are trying to complete the entire process within two months," he said. "This rushed approach is leading to extreme chaos and harassment for ordinary people." The forum argues that such a short timeframe exacerbates the problems and prevents proper verification.
The protest by Bangla Ekata Manch underscores growing tensions over electoral procedures in Bengal. The group continues to advocate for the rights of marginalized communities and demands a more humane and democratic approach to the SIR process.
