Kolkata: Kin of SIR Victims Express Gratitude to Mamata Banerjee for Supreme Court Challenge
As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared as a petitioner before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging the ongoing Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) process, families of booth-level officers and individuals who lost their lives during this exercise expressed profound gratitude. They described themselves as "indebted" to her for her "fight for justice", highlighting the human cost of the controversial electoral update.
Heart-Wrenching Accounts of Pressure and Tragedy
The kin shared detailed, emotional accounts of how the SIR exercise led to immense stress and tragic outcomes for their loved ones. Their stories paint a grim picture of administrative pressure and systemic failures.
Suku Ekka, husband of Shanti Muni Ekka, a 48-year-old ICDS worker appointed as a BLO in Jalpaiguri's Malbazar, found hanging at home on November 19, stated: "I will remain indebted forever to her if we get justice." He had filed an FIR against the Election Commission. Suku alleged his wife struggled with language barriers and night work, with her pleas for relief being ignored.
Mala Mondal, widow of 53-year-old BLO Haradhan Mondal, a school headmaster in Ranibandh found hanging on December 28, said: "I was watching TV to see Didi's fight for the common citizens of Bengal. Her fight would help us in the future to fight our individual battles." She blamed the hasty SIR exercise for her husband's drastic step, citing tremendous work pressure.
Families Highlight Systemic Issues and Seek Accountability
Other families echoed similar sentiments, pointing to inconsistencies and harassment in the SIR process that they believe contributed to their losses.
Sk Kamal Hossain, son of 75-year-old Jamat Ali who died in Howrah after receiving a hearing notice, expressed: "I listened to Didi's arguments at the apex court and was moved to tears. I am hopeful that we will receive justice for my father's tragic death." He filed an FIR against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging his father's documents were in order but his name was missing from the draft list, causing fatal stress.
Kanai Majhi, son of 82-year-old Durjan Majhi who died before a hearing in Purulia, questioned the whims of the SIR: "My father submitted the form, but his name was not on the draft voter list. We can't figure out why he was called for a hearing." He noted his father's anxiety and fear of losing citizenship rights, leading to an FIR against unknown EC officials.
Suicide Notes and Calls for Reform
The tragedy extended to Rinku Tarafdar, a 51-year-old para teacher and BLO who died by suicide in Krishnagore on November 22. Her suicide note in Bengali held the Election Commission responsible, writing: "The Election Commission is responsible for my ill fate... I cannot handle this inhuman work pressure." She expressed a desire to live but feared administrative fallout from online work she didn't understand.
Her son-in-law, Manajit Saha, added: "We lost our mother due to this ongoing SIR exercise," noting they learned of the CM's actions from TV news.
These accounts collectively underscore the urgent need for scrutiny and reform in electoral processes, as families pin their hopes on legal and political interventions for closure and justice.
