Did Bengal SIR Review Encounter Women's Protests in South 24 Parganas?
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Synopsis
In a remarkable turn of events, C. Murugan, special observer for the Election Commission, faced a fierce protest led by women Trinamool Congress supporters during the Special Intensive Revision in South 24 Parganas. Their demands for housing and wages have raised questions about the intersection of electoral processes and social justice.
Key Takeaways
- Protests led by women Trinamool Congress supporters during SIR.
- Demands for housing and wages under government schemes.
- C. Murugan's commitment to continue his duties despite protests.
- Election Commission's ongoing SIR process across multiple states.
- Final voter list publication scheduled for February 14.
Kolkata, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Election Commission's special observer C. Murugan encountered significant protests while supervising the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in the South 24 Parganas district on Thursday. The demonstration was led by women supporters of the Trinamool Congress in the Falta area.
The protesters demanded that the Central government should first provide housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.
They asserted that the SIR process would not proceed unless these demands were addressed, with some vowing to obstruct the SIR exercise until their requests were fulfilled.
A delegation from the Election Commission, headed by Murugan, visited Falta to oversee the SIR procedure. They assessed the performance of the booth-level officers (BLOs) and reviewed the number of deceased voters at each booth. Murugan also visited the residences of elderly voters to confirm their status.
During this assessment, a group of Trinamool supporters encircled the commission's delegation and initiated a protest, predominantly comprised of women. They shouted slogans criticizing the SIR and the BJP.
Protests included demands for housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and wages from the 100-day work scheme.
Sources indicated that C. Murugan was displeased by the protest's nature. He plans to submit a report to the Election Commission regarding the incident, asserting that the protest was orchestrated since the SIR process is unrelated to development or governmental projects. Nevertheless, Murugan confirmed his commitment to continue his responsibilities despite these challenges.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, refrained from making an official statement on the issue. Sources indicated that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and necessary actions would follow.
The SIR process commenced on November 4 across 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal.
In the eastern state of West Bengal, the process is nearing completion.
BLOs are presently gathering enumeration forms and uploading them to the commission's portal. Following this, the commission will unveil the draft voter list on December 16.
The final voter list is set to be published on February 14 of the upcoming year.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the ongoing tensions between electoral processes and the pressing demands for social justice. The protests led by women in South 24 Parganas reflect a broader discontent with governmental policies and housing issues. This incident raises essential questions about the role of electoral observers and the impact of public sentiment on democratic processes.
NationPress
11/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the protests during the SIR process?
The protests were instigated by the demands of Trinamool Congress supporters for housing and wages under government schemes, which they insisted must be addressed before allowing the SIR process to continue.
Who is C. Murugan?
C. Murugan is the special observer appointed by the Election Commission to oversee the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in various regions, including South 24 Parganas.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is a process conducted by the Election Commission to update and revise the voter list, ensuring accurate representation ahead of elections.
When will the final voter list be published?
The final voter list is scheduled to be published on February 14 of the next year.
What actions will the Election Commission take following the protests?
C. Murugan will submit a report regarding the protests, and the Election Commission is expected to investigate the matter and take appropriate actions.
