Malda Woman Dies by Suicide Over Voter ID Fears in SIR Process
A tragic incident unfolded in Malda, north Bengal, where a woman from the Rajbanshi community died by suicide. She consumed poison on Friday, two days before her death. The woman feared her name would be removed from the voter rolls under the SIR process.
Details of the Incident
Banoti Rajbanshi, aged 36, lived in Kamancha village under Malda police station. She allegedly ingested insecticide. Her fear stemmed from potentially losing her identity and facing deportation from her home. This fear arose because she could not produce documents linking her to her parents during the SIR process.
Police reports reveal Banoti was born three months after her father's death. She lost her mother at the age of three. Her maternal uncle raised her. Despite having an Aadhaar card and an EPIC card, she failed to provide parental details on the SIR form. Authorities summoned her for a hearing and requested documentary proof.
Family's Struggle
Her husband, Somesh Rajbanshi, works as a farmer. He stated officials suggested land records in her father's name might solve the issue. However, no such records were found. "For days, she desperately searched for any document," he said. "She called her uncles, asking if they had land papers, but no one could help."
Political Reactions
The incident triggered sharp political responses. TMC spokesperson Ashis Kundu accused the Election Commission and BJP of creating "sheer panic." BJP district president Ajoy Ganguly countered, "If that is so, why did her own party not stand by her instead of mounting pressure on booth-level officers and voters?"
This case highlights the severe emotional distress caused by bureaucratic processes. It underscores the need for sensitivity in handling such matters, especially for vulnerable individuals. The community in Malda remains shaken by this unfortunate event.
