Kolkata's SIR Exercise Creates Family Divides in Voter Registration
The Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise in Kolkata has resulted in unexpected family separations on the electoral roll. Following the publication of the final voter list on February 28, numerous families have discovered that while some household members successfully secured their voting rights, their immediate relatives have been either deleted or placed "under adjudication," casting doubt on the fairness and accuracy of the process.
High-Profile Cases Highlight Systemic Issues
This troubling pattern came to light when The Times of India interviewed Manabendra Ghosh, father of Indian World Cup-winning cricketer Richa Ghosh, and senior Bengal minister Shashi Panja. In a striking example, Richa Ghosh's parents are included on the final voter list, but both Richa and her sister, Somashree, have been marked for judicial adjudication. Similarly, Shashi Panja finds herself as the sole member of her household—including her husband and children—whose name has been placed under adjudication, raising eyebrows about the criteria used.
Ordinary Citizens Share Similar Ordeals
As more citizens shared their experiences, a consistent narrative of confusion and frustration emerged. Sudip Roy Chowdhury, a lifelong Tollygunge resident born in 1965, faces this SIR-led divide at age 60. While his wife's voting rights were approved without issue, his own status remains under adjudication. "I have no idea why my voting right is in question when I have all the documents to prove them. I have lived in this city since birth, and I don't know what my fault is," he lamented, noting that they submitted forms together and he complied with all hearing requirements.
Sealdah resident Soumik Bhattacharya reported that everyone in his family except him made it onto the electoral roll. "Only the EC can explain why they put me under adjudication despite checking my EC-specified documents. During the hearing, I even submitted the 2002 SIR list that had my name," he stated, demanding transparency from the Election Commission.
Retired Army Veteran Questions His Status
For retired Army man Partha Ghosh, Saturday brought a shocking revelation: he was placed under adjudication, while his 25-year-old son, Gaurav, who attended the same hearing, was approved. "How can I be under adjudication?" he questioned. The Amdanga resident, who served in the Indian Army from June 1990 to July 2016 and now works at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, added, "If I am a 'foreigner', how could I have served in the Army?" His wife, Soma, avoided a hearing by linking documents to her father, despite not being in the 2002 SIR.
Political Implications in Darjeeling Hills
In the Darjeeling Hills, the exclusion of Avinash Gurung (36) and Nand Gurung (38), children of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung, has sparked political speculation ahead of Assembly elections. Both were placed 'under adjudication' on the final list. The GJM, a key ally of the BJP and instrumental in securing the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, now faces potential electoral challenges due to these discrepancies.
Community Leader's Family Also Affected
Yasin Pathan, a crusader for communal harmony and 1994 Presidential Award recipient for preserving 42 Hindu temples in Pathra, shared his family's ordeal. While he and his wife are on the final list, their son, Tasbir Pathan Badshah, and daughters, Tania Parveen and Tamanna Parveen, are marked as 'under adjudication'. This case underscores that the issue spans across communities and backgrounds, affecting even those recognized for their civic contributions.
The cumulative effect of these stories points to systemic flaws in the SIR exercise, with families torn apart by inconsistent adjudication decisions. As Kolkata residents await explanations, the integrity of the voter registration process remains under scrutiny, potentially impacting upcoming elections and public trust in democratic institutions.
