New Delhi: Tensions are escalating in West Bengal over the special revision of the voter list. Meanwhile, an elderly man committed suicide in Ilanbazar, Birbhum district.
The family says he was afraid of his name being deleted from the voter list. This is the second such suicide in the state in the last 72 hours, causing concern for the administration. Regarding the previous suicide, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also stated that people were committing suicide due to SIR.
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Kshitish Majumdar, a resident of West Medinipur district. He was found hanging from a noose at his daughter’s home in the Ilanbazar area on Wednesday night. Police said the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination and a case of unnatural death has been registered. Family members allege that he was extremely anxious about the voter list verification process and feared that if his name disappeared from the list, he would be declared a foreigner.
Family Allegations and Mental State
Majumdar’s family members stated that he had been restless for several days because his name was not included in the 2002 voter list. The family said that he often asked, “If my name is not on the voter list, will I have to return to Bangladesh?” The family says that when the voter list revision process recently began, his fears increased further. This stress led to his extreme step.
Second Suicide in 72 Hours
This is the second suicide in West Bengal in the last three days. Previously, a man near Panihati committed suicide due to similar concerns. Meanwhile, a farmer in Cooch Behar attempted suicide and is currently hospitalized. These incidents have raised serious questions about the rumors and confusion spreading among the public regarding the voter list revision process.
The administration’s investigation is ongoing.
Local police have launched an investigation and stated that all aspects will be investigated. However, the Election Commission has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Officials believe that people are unnecessarily afraid due to misunderstandings and lack of awareness about the voter list revision process. Experts say the government should make this process more transparent to maintain trust among citizens.
Recently, the Election Commission announced in a press conference that the SIR process would be completed in 12 states and union territories. Bengal was also included in this list. The Mamata Banerjee government has been opposing the SIR from the beginning. Two people have committed suicide in the state so far. It is being said that both suicides were due to fear of the SIR.
TMC uproar over suicide
On Thursday, the Trinamool Congress held a massive protest march in Panihati, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, over the suicide of 57-year-old Pradeep Kar. The party blamed the death on the fear and confusion created by the National Register of Citizens and the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls.
According to local police, Pradip Kar’s body was found hanging from a noose in his room on Tuesday. He was worried about being excluded from the electoral rolls due to lack of documents. The incident occurred a day after the Election Commission announced the SIR exercise for the electoral rolls across Bengal.
TMC protests against BJP in the state
A large number of workers and local residents participated in the protest march, led by TMC Chief Whip and local MLA Nirmal Ghosh. Carrying banners and placards demanding “Justice for Pradeep,” the protesters chanted slogans against the Election Commission and the BJP. Ghosh said that the BJP and the Election Commission have created an atmosphere of fear and confusion in Bengal.
Pradip Kar’s death is a result of this fear. An FIR should be filed against Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Party leaders alleged that the entire campaign could prove to be a “backdoor NRC” aimed at targeting the poor and marginalized. The BJP and the Election Commission have yet to respond to these TMC allegations.