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Imam Qazi Fazlur Rahman, head of Kolkata’s Red Road Namaz, said the imams’ responsibilities are not limited to the pulpit. Instead of panicking, we are explaining the process to people.
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Kolkata: Amid growing concerns about the Special Intensive Revision process ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, minority organizations, mosque committees, and imams have launched a statewide awareness campaign to help Muslims. Imams from nearly 40,000 mosques are urging people to remain calm, fill out forms correctly, and avoid rumors.
Help desks are being set up in mosques, with imams themselves providing guidance.
Imam Qazi Fazlur Rahman, head of Kolkata's Red Road Namaz, said the imams' responsibilities are not limited to the pulpit. Instead of panicking, we are explaining the process to people. Mosque committees are assisting them in filling out the forms to ensure no mistakes are made.
The SIR process began on November 4, with over 80,000 booth-level officers going door-to-door to verify documents. This campaign will continue until December 4th, with the final voter list released on February 7th, 2026.
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'Testing 100 million people in such a short time is not possible'
Maulana Shafiq Qasmi, Imam of Kolkata's Nakkhoda Mosque, warned that this work is not possible in such a short time and could lead to harassment and harassment. He said the government's job is to help people, not harass them. Poor and undocumented families are already under stress. Training sessions and assistance camps are now being held in mosques, where people are being explained the process of filling out forms and submitting documents.
Over 200 Camps in 22 Districts
Under the leadership of Minority Affairs Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has launched over 200 camps and a WhatsApp helpline in 22 districts. Chowdhury stated that the goal is to ensure that people do not accidentally fill out incorrect forms and avoid duplicate entries. This is a non-political campaign.
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An atmosphere of fear is developing.
All Bengal Minority Youth Federation General Secretary Muhammad Kamaruzzaman said the organization is running over 500 camps daily.
Most people are afraid of making mistakes on the forms. We are assuring them that those with valid documents will be able to cast their votes. He added that filling out the forms has become a major challenge for women voters, especially widows or single women.
Muslim Voters in Bengal: Electoral Equations
More than 30% of voters in West Bengal are from the Muslim community, which holds decisive influence in nearly 100 assembly seats. Therefore, the SIR process has become a politically sensitive issue.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has claimed that 17 people have died due to fear and anxiety associated with the process, while the BJP has called it a political drama.
