Bengal Labourer Succumbs to Stroke Amid Electoral Roll Distress
A 28-year-old contractual labourer from West Bengal's Birbhum district died on Monday after suffering a stroke, with his family alleging that he was deeply distressed after his name was marked "under adjudication" in the final electoral roll released by the Election Commission following its Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Family Alleges Electoral Process Triggered Fatal Stress
Sheikh Kamrul, a resident of Dhalla village in Suri and the sole breadwinner for his family, fell ill on Sunday night and was rushed to Suri Hospital. Doctors suspected a stroke and referred him to Burdwan Medical College, but he died en route during the transfer.
His mother, Janjahara Bibi, stated that her son had been experiencing severe headaches and anxiety due to the stress of the SIR process. She claimed he feared losing his livelihood and rights as a voter, which exacerbated his health condition.
Political Blame Game Erupts Over Tragic Incident
Trinamool Congress Suri-I panchayat samiti member Arif Hussain Bappa visited the bereaved family and promised support. He revealed that 230 residents of Dhalla village had been similarly marked "under adjudication" in the electoral roll.
Bappa asserted that the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party must be held accountable for Kamrul's death, linking it to the administrative process. In response, BJP activists dismissed the allegations, stating that the death was purely due to a "medical issue" and unrelated to electoral procedures.
Family Left in Dire Straits After Sole Earner's Demise
Kamrul is survived by his father, who is a person with disabilities, his mother, wife, and two young children. The family now faces an uncertain future without their primary source of income, highlighting the broader socio-economic vulnerabilities in rural areas.
This incident underscores the human impact of bureaucratic processes and has sparked a heated political debate in Bengal, with calls for greater sensitivity in electoral revisions.
