New Delhi [India], July 16: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh and AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi have strongly criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, alleging that the poll body is carrying out a “backdoor NRC” (National Register of Citizens) and violating constitutional norms.
Ramesh, speaking to ANI, questioned the timing and authority of the move, especially with Bihar Assembly elections expected in late 2025.
“The constitutional rights of the voters are being snatched. The matter is pending before the Supreme Court. It is not the responsibility of the Election Commission to prove citizenship. Why is this exercise being conducted four to five months before the assembly polls? There is an atmosphere of fear in Bihar,” said Ramesh.
He expressed concern that the ECI was overstepping its mandate, stating that verifying citizenship is not within the ECI’s legal domain, particularly while the Supreme Court is still hearing related cases.
Owaisi: “NRC Through the Back Door”
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), echoed similar concerns, asserting that the ECI had no authority to determine an individual’s citizenship status.
“Who gave the ECI the power to determine whether someone is a citizen or not? Our party was the first to say that SIR is NRC through the back door,” said Owaisi.
Referring to a similar SIR conducted in 2003, he demanded clarity:
“How many foreign nationals were revealed at that time? We demand data and transparency on those numbers. We will ask our party members to meet the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and ask where these alleged people from Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are.”
Political Undertones and INDIA Bloc Critique
Owaisi also took the opportunity to reaffirm AIMIM’s independence, distancing himself from the INDIA bloc, accusing it of suppressing emerging political leadership:
“They just want you to remain their slaves, to walk behind them with your head bowed… One-sided love is not going to happen.”
He claimed the accusations against his party in Bihar were “baseless” and designed to prevent leaders of the poor and oppressed from rising.
Background on SIR
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process where electoral rolls are closely scrutinized and revised ahead of elections. The current move by the ECI reportedly involves verification of citizenship status, raising concerns among opposition leaders and civil society groups about potential misuse or voter disenfranchisement, especially among marginalized communities.
The ECI has yet to formally respond to these criticisms. However, political tensions are expected to escalate as the Bihar polls draw nearer.
Key Issues at a Glance:
- Congress & AIMIM accuse ECI of NRC-style operation
- Citizenship verification not part of ECI mandate, say critics
- Bihar voters allegedly under fear and confusion
- Supreme Court case on voter rolls and NRC still ongoing
- Rising political polarisation ahead of Bihar elections