Is the Bengal SIR Exercise Being Compromised by Fake Birth Certificates?
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Key Takeaways
Kolkata, Feb 16 (NationPress) On Monday, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, alerted the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the alleged widespread issuance of fraudulent birth certificates by the state administration in the Gazole Block of Malda district, a region predominantly inhabited by minorities. These certificates, it is reported, are intended to serve as supporting identity documents during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.
In a statement shared via his social media platform, Adhikari pointed out a specific instance of a purportedly forged birth certificate, noting that it referenced a rule from a state Act that was nonexistent at the time of its issuance.
“A disturbing revelation from Gazole Block in Malda district showcases the level of corruption within the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government. Clearly falsified birth certificates are being produced. To compound the issue, the registration date is listed as 1996, yet it erroneously cites Rule 9 of the West Bengal Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 2000, which wasn't enacted until 2000,” Adhikari stated in his social media message.
He argued that this situation represents not just incompetence but a calculated fraud aimed at creating false identities and jeopardizing democratic processes.
Adhikari also claimed that such activities extend beyond Malda district, occurring in various districts throughout West Bengal, with the objective of sabotaging the SIR exercise by inundating the system with counterfeit documents.
“The Mamata Banerjee administration is risking the integrity of electoral rolls and citizen verification for political advantage. I call upon the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to take immediate notice, conduct a comprehensive investigation, and address these corrupt practices before they compromise our democratic system. The public deserves honesty, not deceit,” he asserted.
A source within the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal indicated that the concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition are being taken very seriously by the Commission.