Kolkata Citizens Rally Against Alleged Disenfranchisement of 1.25 Crore Voters
In a significant development in Kolkata, multiple citizens' initiatives have announced plans to stage protests over voting rights for individuals categorized as "under adjudication," pending under "logical discrepancy" and "unmapped" categories. The movement, spearheaded by Desh Banchao Ganamancha, claims that nearly 1.25 crore people are being virtually disenfranchised, sparking widespread concern and calls for immediate action.
Allegations of Unjust Electoral Roll Deletions
Former state labour minister Purnendu Basu, representing Desh Banchao Ganamancha, voiced strong criticism on Sunday, stating, "There is no logic behind trying to disenfranchise nearly 1.25 crore people. We are unaware of the yardsticks or parameters the Election Commission used to delete their names from the electoral roll published on February 28." Basu emphasized that if the Election Commission identifies anyone as an illegal immigrant, the burden of proof should lie with the commission, not the citizens.
Political Influence and Upcoming Agitation
Basu further alleged political interference, referencing Union home minister Amit Shah's earlier statement that nearly 1.3 crore voters' names would be deleted from the electoral roll. "It appears the Election Commission has taken this up as its agenda and is obeying his orders," Basu added. In response, Desh Banchao Ganamancha has declared it will soon initiate agitation programmes to challenge these actions.
Coalition of Groups Plans Rally and Deputation
Joining forces, Sangrami Ganamancha, tribal organisations, and ultra-left outfits are set to take out a rally on March 5. They plan to submit a deputation to the chief judge of the Calcutta High Court and the Election Commission. Kushal Debnath of Sangrami Ganamancha stressed, "The adjudicated cases need to be decided swiftly, and no polls should be held until these are finalised," highlighting the urgency of resolving the issue before any elections proceed.
Broader Implications for Democratic Rights
This protest movement underscores growing tensions over electoral integrity and democratic rights in Kolkata. With citizens demanding transparency and fairness in the electoral process, the situation raises critical questions about governance and the protection of voting rights for all eligible individuals. The upcoming actions by these groups are expected to draw significant attention and potentially influence policy decisions regarding voter registration and adjudication procedures.
