Mamata Banerjee Declares SIR Will Sound BJP's Death Knell, Accuses Party of Targeting Women and Minorities
In a fiery series of election rallies across West Burdwan and Purulia on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that the Supplementary Integrated Roll (SIR) process will ultimately sound the death knell for the BJP. She claimed that in its relentless effort to dismantle Bengal, the BJP risks losing its grip on the Centre.
Allegations of Voter List Manipulation and Fear Tactics
Banerjee accused the BJP of resorting to SIR and deleting names from voter lists out of fear of Bengal's electorate. "I fought against this on the streets and in the Supreme Court. Why is the BJP afraid of electors?" she questioned, alleging that officials from Delhi are clandestinely removing voters' names. She derisively labeled the BJP as a "washing machine with vanishing powers," implying it erases opposition support.
The Chief Minister highlighted that SIR has disproportionately targeted married women, particularly those from minority communities. "Most married women have been placed under adjudication because their surnames and addresses changed after marriage. How I write my name is my prerogative," she stated, accusing authorities of using artificial intelligence to create confusion and mercilessly delete Muslim women from voter lists. She also expressed outrage over judges being included in adjudication lists, demanding, "Don't you feel ashamed?"
Warnings of Election Interference and Calls for Resistance
Addressing women voters as co-warriors, Banerjee issued stark warnings about potential election disruptions. She alleged that central agencies would attempt to rig elections, purchase votes with "impure money," and distribute Rs 500 notes openly. "The Vanish Washing Commission will spread lies on polling and counting days to favor the BJP. Don't fall for their trap," she cautioned.
Urging vigilance, she called on voters to protect Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from tampering and build resistance inspired by freedom fighter Matangini Hazra. "Give the BJP a befitting reply," she rallied.
Concerns Over Transparency and Broader Implications
Banerjee raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in the SIR process, noting that supplementary voters' lists ordered by the Supreme Court remain unpublished. "I have not seen the list until now. Some reports suggest 40% of 27 lakh adjudicated names have been removed. How will people apply to tribunals if the list is not public?" she asked, criticizing the limited establishment of tribunals only in Kolkata instead of every district.
She warned that while SIR currently targets one community, others are not safe. "You cannot snatch voting rights in the name of SIR. Every legitimate voter must get the right to vote," she asserted, citing cases where only one family member remains on the list while others are struck off. Banerjee cautioned that targeted deletions could lead to broader implementations like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and detention camps, vowing to prevent such outcomes.
Additionally, she accused the BJP of trying to incite violence between Adivasis and Mahatos to create divisions within Bengal's social fabric.
