Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 12: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has sharply criticized the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling it a direct violation of voting rights and warning of its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.
Chowdhury said,
“The intention behind conducting this SIR in Bihar will cause significant difficulties for common people, especially those from backward classes. With elections nearing, they are being told to prove they are citizens. But has any government in India ever issued a citizenship certificate to anyone?”
He said the process had already sparked “chaos” in the state and likened it to a form of “vote-bandi,” drawing a parallel with the government’s 2016 demonetization move.
Chowdhury further questioned the urgency of the process and demanded that documents like Aadhaar and ration cards be accepted nationwide for voter verification.
“The Supreme Court has already advised accepting Aadhaar and ration cards. Why is it not being done across India?” he asked.
His remarks come amid growing controversy over the Election Commission’s voter roll revision efforts in poll-bound Bihar, where the SIR exercise is meant to update electoral rolls before the state assembly elections later this year.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission to proceed with the revision but urged it to consider accepting commonly held documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid proof of identity.
Opposition parties have raised concerns that the short timeline and stringent requirements could lead to disenfranchisement of large sections of eligible voters, particularly among rural and poor populations.
The Supreme Court has set July 28 as the next hearing date and asked the Election Commission to file an affidavit addressing the concerns raised in the petitions.