Residents of West Bengal Appeal to President for Electoral Rights

In a dramatic turn of events, six residents from Arambagh, West Bengal, have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu after their names were removed from the voter list. This situation has ignited discussions about electoral rights and the implications of the Special Intensive Revision process. Among the petitioners is a retired school principal who fears detention due to the removal of her name. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the BJP's handling of the situation, asserting that no one will face detention in Bengal. The assembly elections are approaching, scheduled for late April, adding urgency to their plea.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 08:52 IST

Desperate Plea from Residents

In the Arambagh area of Hooghly district, six individuals have made a heartfelt appeal to President Droupadi Murmu regarding their voting rights. Following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, their names were removed from the voter list, sparking significant discussion across West Bengal.

Official Submission of Appeal

The appeal was formally submitted through the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Arambagh. Among the applicants is a retired government school teacher who visited the SDO office to submit their application along with supporting documents.

Reason Behind the Letter

According to a report, election officials stated that all six individuals reside in Ward Number Six of the Arambagh municipality, where a total of 206 names were reportedly removed from the electoral rolls.

Who Are the Petitioners?

One of the petitioners, Taibunessa Begum, served as the principal of the Gochhar Bhagwati Girls' School in Gohgat for nearly two decades. She claims that despite possessing official documents, including pension-related papers and a passport, her name was unjustly removed from the list.

A Distressing Statement

Taibunessa Begum:
We have submitted our application for euthanasia, as we can no longer endure this suffering. Local councilor Swapna Nandi was also present with the applicants.

Concerns Over Detention

Taibunessa Begum expressed fears that the removal of their names from the voter list post-SIR could lead to their detention. She stated, 'We would prefer to embrace death rather than face detention.'

Mamata Banerjee's Stance

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal in her criticism of the BJP regarding the SIR process. During a recent election rally, she asserted that no one in Bengal would be sent to a detention center, accusing the central government and the election commission of discriminatory practices.

Upcoming Elections in West Bengal

The assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes set for May 4.