A group of rights activists in Kolkata staged a protest on Saturday to stop the Election Commission of India’s plan to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s voter rolls. The demonstration was led by the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) and started at College Street before moving to Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata.
APDR officials say the SIR may be a front for a National Register of Citizens (NRC). They warn that the campaign could strip many people of their voting rights and even their citizenship. Ranjit Sur, APDR’s general secretary, argued that the SIR will force every voter over 18 to submit detailed forms, including parent and spouse information, proof of identity, and other documents. These details will never appear on the voter card, yet the data could be used for a broader NRC exercise, he said.
“We need an accurate voter list, but the SIR will invest in an extensive data‑gathering exercise that could end up as an NRC,” Sur told the crowd. He added that the Voting Commission has no authority to conduct an NRC, pointing to a Supreme Court ruling that protects citizens’ rights. He warned that most citizens would find it difficult to provide the requested documents.
APDR says neither Aadhaar cards nor voter ID cards are being accepted for the SIR, raising fears that ordinary voters who cannot supply all the proof might be declared ineligible to vote or even lose their citizenship. The group urged the Election Commission to skip the revision and rely on the two‑time updated voter list already in place.
The protest highlights a growing concern over voter‑roll revisions in West Bengal, with activists calling for transparency and protection of democratic rights.
Source: ianslive
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