West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning on Monday, declaring her intent to take the issue of alleged public harassment during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to the Supreme Court. Speaking at Gangasagar, she vowed to personally plead on behalf of affected voters if necessary.
Legal Battle and Allegations of AI-Driven Deletions
Banerjee announced a dual strategy of public protest and legal recourse. "We must fight it out. We are also seeking legal help," she stated. The Chief Minister made a serious allegation, claiming that artificial intelligence was being used to arbitrarily decide which names to remove from the voter lists. She asserted that over 58 lakh (5.8 million) names had been deleted from the draft rolls without giving individuals a chance to submit required forms, all allegedly facilitated by AI.
She expressed deep concern over the process, questioning the need for elderly citizens and pregnant women to prove their citizenship. "People above 85 are being summoned, some are appearing with oxygen support. Pregnant women are being called. Do they need to prove they are voters and citizens of this nation after living in this country for so long?" Banerjee asked. She alleged that about 70-80 people had died due to the pressure and use of force associated with the revision exercise.
Personal Plea and Accusations Against the EC
The Trinamool Congress supremo stated her readiness to approach the apex court not as a lawyer but as an ordinary citizen. "And, if required, I will go to the SC to plead. I will speak for the people. I am a lawyer but I will not go as a lawyer; I will go as an ordinary citizen," Banerjee said during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a bridge connecting Gangasagar and Kakdwip.
She accused the Election Commission of carrying out the revision through WhatsApp messages and targeting vulnerable sections. Banerjee claimed the EC was deleting women's names for surname changes after marriage and even targeting monks. "You heard how the name of a sadhu from Bharat Sevegram Sangha was deleted. The names of many such sadhus and saints are being deleted," she added, alleging these actions were taken at the behest of the BJP.
A Question of Bengali Pride and History
Invoking Bengali identity and history, the Chief Minister framed the SIR as a direct challenge to the state's pride. She reminded the audience of Bengal's role in India's independence struggle, the renaissance, and social reforms. "Do Bengalis need to prove their citizenship after all this? Who are you? Delhi's zamindars must not forget Bengal's history," Banerjee remarked, in a sharp retort aimed at the central government.
She also issued a warning to the Election Commission officials, implying accountability. "You, too, will vanish some day if this goes on," she said, without naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CM's strong statements set the stage for a potential major legal and political confrontation over the voter list revision process in West Bengal.
