The Hindu: Published on 29th November 2025.
Why in News?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls launched by the Election Commission (EC) in West Bengal has triggered large-scale political controversy, protests, fear among voters, and social unrest.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) opposes the SIR, terming it politically motivated and harmful to citizens, while the BJP strongly supports it, claiming it will eliminate fake and illegal voters.
The exercise has also led to reports of suicides allegedly linked to fear of being excluded from the voter list and has caused confusion among vulnerable groups such as migrants, Matuas, enclave residents, and displaced people.
Background:
West Bengal has had a history of politically sensitive electoral roll revisions, especially before big elections.
A similar SIR exercise in Bihar earlier resulted in removal of over 40 lakh names, heightening fear in Bengal.
The political rivalry between TMC and BJP has intensified after the BJP’s rise in the State since 2019.
Issues of illegal immigration, NRC, CAA, and border migration have long been contentious topics, making any voter list revision deeply political.
What is the SIR (Special Intensive Revision)?
The SIR is a large-scale physical verification of voter lists undertaken to identify:
deceased voters
duplicate entries
fake entries
Suspected illegal migrants
It requires verification of 2002 legacy voter data, causing anxiety among people with no old documents.
What Triggered the Current Crisis?
The EC announced SIR across 12 States including West Bengal, covering 51 crore electors.
TMC accused the EC and the Centre of using SIR as a tool to intimidate voters and weaken TMC’s support base.
BJP leaders claimed that SIR will cleanse the list of “illegal Bangladeshi voters” and predicted deletion of up to 1 crore names.
Several alleged suicides were linked by TMC to fear of NRC-style exclusion, further intensifying political tension.
Key Points of the Controversy:
a) TMC’s Opposition
Claims SIR = “NRC through the backdoor.”
Says it creates panic among citizens, particularly the poor and migrants.
Cites alleged suicides of citizens and Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Highlights errors in documents, missing legacy data, and fear among marginalised groups.
b) BJP’s Stand
Strongly supports SIR, saying it will:
remove illegal immigrants
clean voter lists
correct duplicate entries
Claims that lakhs of fake names exist and presents lists of “bogus voters.”
c) EC’s Role:
Says SIR is a routine and necessary exercise.
Conducts all-party meetings and attempts to reduce tensions.
Facing accusations of being influenced by political pressure from both sides.
Stakeholders Affected:
1. Matua Community
Migrants from Bangladesh, many lacking legacy documents.
Confused between SIR (verification) and CAA (citizenship).
TMC and BJP offering competing narratives — hunger strike vs CAA camps.
2. Residents of Former Enclaves
Became Indian citizens only in 2015; have no pre-2015 documents.
Face problems proving legacy data for 2002 voter list reference.
3. Displaced Persons (e.g., due to Ganga erosion)
Lost old homes and voting sites; unable to trace earlier records.
4. Transgender persons, sex workers, migrant workers
Lack stable documentation or links to parental voter lists.
5. General voters:
Widespread confusion about what documents are needed and who may be excluded.
Major Issues Raised:
Issue 1: Fear of mass deletion
Claims that 1 crore voters may be removed has caused panic.
Issue 2: Linking SIR with NRC and CAA
TMC says SIR = hidden NRC, causing fear among Bengali-speaking Muslims and migrant groups.
BJP uses CAA camps to mobilise Matua votes.
Issue 3: Suicides and Humanitarian Concerns
Multiple deaths linked (or politically projected) as SIR-related suicides.
Raised questions about mental stress caused by documentation requirements.
Issue 4: Administrative Burden
BLOs overworked and reportedly under pressure.
Discrepancies, errors, and lack of clarity about accepted documentation.
Issue 5: Border migration controversy:
Reports of increased numbers of people returning to Bangladesh.
BJP uses images to justify claims of illegal infiltration.
TMC calls it fearmongering.
Political Implications:
For TMC
Using SIR issue to rally its support base, especially minorities and marginalised groups.
Projects BJP as anti-Bengal and anti-poor.
Trying to revive “outsider vs Bengali” narrative before 2026 election.
For BJP:
Using SIR to revive its narrative around illegal migration and national security.
Mobilising Matua community through CAA camps.
Attempting to regain influence as its vote share fell after 2021.
For Left and Congress:
Oppose the SIR and criticise both TMC and BJP.
Attempting to regain relevance by helping people navigate the process.
Overall:
The SIR has become a major election issue for 2026, with both major parties polarising voters.
Social Impact:
Fear and Anxiety: Particularly among marginalised communities.
Mistrust: Between State government, EC, and political parties.
Polarisation: Communities being divided into “citizens,” “migrants,” and “illegal voters” categories.
Disruption to livelihoods: People spending long hours in queues or offices to verify documents.
Human Rights Concerns: Document burdens on the poor leading to stress, mental health issues.
Administrative and Legal Concerns:
Documentation requirements based on the 2002 voter list create unrealistic burdens.
Lack of clear communication from authorities on acceptable documents.
Legal questions on whether mass disenfranchisement is possible under constitutional protections.
Impact on Law and Order:
Street protests by TMC.
Potential for communal tension in border areas.
Pressure on police and administrators to maintain peace.
Panic-driven return of Bangladeshi nationals indicates administrative stress.
Impact on Communities and Identity Politics:
Matua community caught between TMC’s fear narrative and BJP’s CAA narrative.
Muslim minorities fear NRC-type exclusion.
Border migrants face decision between staying undocumented or returning to Bangladesh.
Way Forward:
Conclusion:
