Controversy Brews Over Bihar's Electoral Roll Revision
Rajya Sabha MPs have raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar, claiming it targets marginalized communities. They allege that the government is using the Election Commission to disenfranchise millions by demanding hard-to-obtain documents. The issue gains prominence as Bihar approaches assembly elections.
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On Wednesday, Rajya Sabha members Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Syed Naseer Hussain, Ranani Ashokrao Patil, and Ranjeet Ranjan submitted an Adjournment motion, demanding urgent debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's Electoral Rolls. Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev also called for discussion, indicating widespread concern among opposition parties.
In correspondence with the Rajya Sabha's General Secretary, Dev accused governmental misuse of the Election Commission to push an 'exclusionary' agenda. The revision threatens to disenfranchise two crore voters, primarily targeting the poor and marginalized by requiring documents unlikely to be possessed by many, such as parental birth certificates and domicile proof.
The provision has faced public backlash, especially as key identification documents like Aadhaar were initially excluded. Amidst monsoon floods and peak migration, millions find conforming to these requirements logistically unrealistic, casting doubt on the revision's fairness. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore blasted the exercise as 'dangerous and unconstitutional,' accusing the ruling government of violating voting rights.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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