Renowned Bengali poet Joy Goswami has found himself entangled in a voter identity controversy, emerging as one of the 58 lakh unmapped voters in West Bengal. The 72-year-old literary figure, currently recovering from multiple surgeries, has been summoned by the Election Commission for a hearing, a move his family has labeled as systemic harassment rooted in a pervasive politics of fear.
A Call That Sparked Distress
Two days ago, the poet's wife received a direct call from the Election Commission. The authority instructed that both Joy Goswami and his daughter, Bukun, must be present for a hearing scheduled for January 2. The basis for the summons is their inclusion in the draft voter list under the EC's Special Summary Revision (SIR) process, despite their long-standing voting history.
Bukun, the poet's daughter, expressed deep frustration and concern over the situation. She revealed that her father, who is affectionately called Joy within the family, had undergone three surgeries in November and is medically unfit to travel. His doctor has strictly advised against any journey that risks physical jerks. Consequently, the ailing poet will be unable to attend the scheduled hearing.
A History of Voting and Missing Documents
Bukun provided a detailed account of the family's voter history to counter the EC's query. She stated that while her father did not possess a voter ID card in 2002, which has led to a lack of the specific documents now demanded, he has consistently exercised his franchise. Most recently, he voted in the 2024 elections for the Kolkata Dakshin Parliamentary constituency at the Jadavpur Girls High School polling station.
The family previously lived in Jadavpur before moving to Salt Lake. Even after relocating, they continued to travel back to their original polling booth in Jadavpur to cast their votes. Bukun explained the documentary hurdle: her father's parents passed away long ago in Ranaghat, and those legacy documents are no longer available. In contrast, her mother could produce her own mother's documents, thus avoiding a similar summons.
"This is such a huge harassment for all of us. It is not about my father alone," Bukun said. She highlighted the ordeal faced by many elderly citizens, including those with asthma and joint pain, who are forced to stand in queues and navigate such bureaucratic challenges.
Political Reactions and Allegations of Fear
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from West Bengal's political sphere. State Education Minister Bratya Basu strongly condemned the EC's move, linking it to the BJP's stance towards Bengal. "This only goes on to expose BJP's views of Bengal and its culture," Basu stated. He added, "If Joy Goswami can be called for a hearing, I fear Tagore too would have got a call for a hearing had he been alive now."
Bukun echoed a sentiment of targeted anxiety, questioning the motives behind the widespread fear of disenfranchisement. "I do not know if they are disrespecting and harassing people this way because it is Bengal. They know Bengal doesn't want BJP in power... there could be some other agenda behind spreading this fear," she speculated. She described the situation as a form of systemic harassment designed to intimidate Indian voters under the guise of the SIR process.
With her father's health being the primary concern, Bukun has chosen not to inform him about the hearing to avoid causing him stress. She plans to attend the January 2 hearing herself to address the queries regarding her father's documents. "If I get a second hearing date, I will first consult his doctor and then break the news to him," she concluded, underscoring the personal toll of the bureaucratic process on ailing individuals and their families.
