West Bengal’s SIR Crisis deepens as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demands the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision process after a rising toll of deaths linked to fear and pressure. A detailed report on the political storm surrounding the SIR Crisis.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | 20 November 2025
SIR Crisis Sparks New Confrontation
SIR Crisis—that’s the phrase echoing across West Bengal’s political landscape right now. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, pressing for an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. She argues the entire exercise is unplanned, chaotic, and dangerously overburdening Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
In her letter, Mamata cites recent deaths of BLOs and reports of severe stress among officials, insisting that the SIR Crisis is spiraling beyond control.
CM Calls Process Unsafe, Poorly Trained, and Structurally Flawed
Mamata hasn’t minced words. She says the SIR process is riddled with training gaps, unclear documentation requirements, and crippling workloads that are harming both BLOs and ordinary citizens. According to her, launching this exercise in the middle of Bengal’s busiest agricultural season is reckless. Families have already reported suicides linked to fear and pressure surrounding SIR.
20 Deaths Reported: Fear of Name Deletion Grips Districts
Rising Toll Across Bengal
Since the launch of the SIR campaign, over 20 deaths have been reported—some confirmed by police, others highlighted by neighbours and relatives. Many victims allegedly feared their names would be struck from the voter roll, triggering deep anxiety.
Districts like Murshidabad have been hit especially hard, with five deaths reported there alone. Some died by suicide, others after sudden heart attacks reportedly triggered by panic.
Political Fault Lines Deepen
TMC: “This is State-Sponsored Fear”
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has framed the SIR Crisis as an assault on Bengali identity. Ministers like Shashi Panja claim the exercise has plunged ordinary people into fear, while the Election Commission and BJP “remain silent.”
Abhishek Banerjee has formed a special team to visit families of the deceased and offer financial help.
BJP: “TMC Is Spreading Panic”
The BJP fires back, accusing the TMC of pushing a false narrative. Leaders argue that TMC’s campaign has misled people into thinking name deletion equals deportation, causing citizens unnecessary terror.
For years, the BJP has accused the TMC of protecting “illegal voters.” The party believes the SIR will expose a large number of such names.
Political observers say both sides see the SIR exercise as a high-stakes opportunity. If the draft list shows mass deletions, the BJP will claim it proves TMC inflated the voter base with illegal entries.
On the other hand, TMC will use it to rally voters around the idea of Bengali identity under threat—something they’ve done effectively in earlier migrant and NRC-related controversies.
Mamata’s Warning
The Chief Minister has made her stance clear: not a single legitimate voter’s name should be removed. Any attempt to push through the SIR amid this growing panic, she says, will face large-scale protests.
Her letter ends with a blunt request: stop the SIR now, fix the system, provide proper training, and reconsider the timeline—otherwise the damage will be irreversible.
