Controversy Erupts Over Dress Code for Elderly Voters in West Bengal Elections

Strange Incident at Polling Station

During the West Bengal Assembly elections, an unusual controversy emerged at the Gaighata assembly seat in the North 24 Parganas district. A polling booth was set up at the Kuchulia Primary School, where reports surfaced that elderly voters were barred from entering due to their traditional attire (lungi) by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Elderly Voters Sent Home

Local residents claimed that security personnel removed several elderly individuals from the queue, instructing them to return home and wear pants before they could cast their votes. This unannounced 'dress code' sparked outrage in the community and led to significant controversy.

One victim of this incident, 78-year-old Ali Mandal, shared with a news outlet, 'I have been wearing lungis for the past 30 years and have always voted in them, but this time, I was stopped by the soldiers in line and told I couldn't vote in a lungi. I had to go home and change into pants.' Since he did not own a pair of pants, he borrowed some from his grandson. He expressed that he had never faced such an issue before.

Community Outrage and Questions Raised

Similarly, 80-year-old Ganesh Majumdar experienced the same treatment. He recounted, 'I went to vote wearing a lungi, but I was stopped. I had to return home to put on pants and come back again.'

Residents pointed out that the area is predominantly rural, where most elderly individuals wear lungis. They noted that such a dress code had never been enforced before, making this action perplexing. Following the incident, protests were reported in some areas. After the controversy escalated, it was indicated that security personnel lifted the ban, allowing voters in lungis to participate in the election. However, neither the presiding officer nor the CAPF has issued an official statement regarding the matter.