Udayan Guha's Hunger Strike: A Bold Stand Against Voter Deletions in Bengal
Synopsis
North Bengal Minister Udayan Guha's hunger strike in Dinhata highlights alarming voter deletions in West Bengal's electoral rolls. Accusing the Election Commission of bias, Guha joins a growing wave of protests led by Trinamool Congress against perceived injustices in the voter registration process.
Key Takeaways
Udayan Guha's hunger strike is a significant protest against alleged voter deletions.
Over 2.37 lakh voters are reportedly affected in Cooch Behar .
The protest highlights concerns about the Election Commission's impartiality .
The Trinamool Congress is rallying against perceived injustices in the electoral process.
The BJP defends the electoral revisions as necessary for identifying illegal infiltrators .
Kolkata, March 9 (NationPress) In a bold move mirroring Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's actions, North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha commenced a hunger strike in Dinhata on Monday. His protest centers on what he deems the unjust removal of names from West Bengal's electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Guha has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of systematically eliminating ordinary voters' names under the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In solidarity, Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters have also initiated a large-scale hunger strike in Dinhata.
The minister further expressed concerns over the significant number of voter names categorized as “under adjudication” due to what he referred to as “logical discrepancies.”
Guha claimed that over 2.37 lakh voters in Cooch Behar district are currently in this pending status.
“Our party's leaders and workers are protesting in Kolkata under Mamata Banerjee's guidance. The biased Election Commission, acting on the BJP's influence, is excluding the names of common voters or placing them on a pending list, which is causing significant distress. They remain silent about when this pending situation will be resolved. In response, we have initiated a mass hunger strike today in Dinhata,” said Guha.
He criticized both the BJP and the Election Commission, stating, “The Commission is tasked with overseeing elections in a democratic nation and must uphold impartiality. Throughout my experience, I have never encountered such a biased Commission. They operate with a focus on what benefits the BJP, overlooking the fact that this is not Bihar, Odisha, or Delhi. The people of Bengal are far more informed and are gearing up to counter this conspiracy to eliminate the BJP from Bengal.”
The BJP maintains that the SIR process is intended to identify Rohingyas and illegal infiltrators.
Responding to these claims, Guha stated, “We demand the protection of voting rights for all individuals born here. If Rohingyas or infiltrators are identified, they should be excluded and penalized if necessary. However, it appears that where the BJP is weak, voter names are being deliberately excluded.”
When asked about the duration of his hunger strike, Guha replied, “I will continue as long as I am able.”
It is worth noting that Mamata Banerjee initiated a sit-in protest in Kolkata last Friday to condemn the ECI’s arbitrary removal of voter names from the electoral rolls.
Point of View
The ongoing protests led by Udayan Guha and Mamata Banerjee reflect deep-seated concerns regarding electoral integrity in West Bengal. The allegations against the Election Commission raise serious questions about impartiality and fairness in the electoral process, warranting close scrutiny.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Udayan Guha to start a hunger strike?
Udayan Guha began a hunger strike to protest the alleged arbitrary deletion of names from the electoral rolls in West Bengal following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
How many voters are reportedly affected in Cooch Behar?
Over 2.37 lakh voters in Cooch Behar district have been placed in the 'under adjudication' category according to Udayan Guha.
What are the Trinamool Congress leaders protesting against?
They are protesting against the perceived biases in the electoral process and the removal of voter names, which they allege is influenced by the BJP.
What does Guha say about the Election Commission?
Guha criticized the Election Commission for being biased and stated that it is failing to conduct fair elections in a democratic country.
What is the stance of the BJP regarding voter deletions?
The BJP claims that the SIR process is necessary for identifying illegal infiltrators, including Rohingyas.
