A 'Haunted' Address?
Recent social media attention has focused on an electoral anomaly in Kolkata's Chowringhee constituency, where 111 voters reportedly belonging to a 'special community' have been removed from the rolls.
The controversy centers around the very existence of the address associated with these voters, sparking accusations of 'invented voters' and 'virtual addresses' on platforms frequented by the BJP. This narrative questions the legitimacy of a slum located at 28/1 Giri Babu Lane, Ward 44 (Part number 19), a densely populated area beside Islamia Hospital on Central Avenue. The area, sprawling across 24 cottahs, is home to at least 700 voters, many of whom have resided there for decades, possessing valid documentation and a history of civic participation. The label 'Bhoot Bangla', or 'Ghost Bengal', has been applied to this genuine human settlement, causing distress and a sense of being unjustly targeted by those who question their residency.
Voices of the Deleted
Speaking out against the 'Bhoot Bangla' label, residents of 28/1 Giri Babu Lane have shared their personal experiences of voter deletion. Md Sarfaraz, 39, whose father was among those removed, expressed his dismay, stating, 'This is very unfortunate. This is a genuine address. Human beings live here.' He highlighted that the number of affected individuals might be closer to 140, not the initially reported 111. Abdul Sattar, 61, a lifelong resident, found his name removed despite his sons remaining on the list, a perplexing outcome given his consistent voting history since becoming eligible and his submission of all required documents during the hearing. Shagufta Yasmin, 32, explained her situation: after moving to her in-laws' address post-marriage, she updated her documents. Even after providing her birth certificate, educational qualifications, and her father's documents during the hearing, her name was deleted, an outcome she finds illogical for a woman changing her official residence.
Injustice and Harassment
The sentiment of facing harassment and injustice is palpable among the residents. Md Ishtekhar, 38, who has lived at 28/1 Giri Babu Lane his entire life, along with his father and grandfather, submitted his passport and other essential documents during the hearing, yet his name was still deleted. Similarly, Md Manzoor, 42, another long-term resident, noted the baffling inclusion of his daughter's name while his own, despite being present on the 2002 electoral roll along with his parents, was removed after a hearing. Sabia Bano recounted a discrepancy in her name's spelling between her voter ID and other official documents. Although she clarified the correct spelling during the hearing process, her name ultimately did not appear on the final list. These accounts underscore a pattern of inexplicable deletions, even when residents have diligently provided proof of their identity and long-standing residency.
Political Perspective
Nayna Bandyopadhyay, the Trinamool candidate for Chowringhee and a sitting MLA since 2014, has drawn attention to the plight of these deleted voters. She emphasized that all 111 individuals are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have been residing at 28/1 Giri Babu Lane for many years. Bandyopadhyay pointed out the peculiar instances where parents' names have been removed from the electoral rolls, while their children's names have been retained, despite all parties attending the required hearings and submitting necessary documentation. This situation has raised significant concerns about the fairness of the electoral process and the treatment of vulnerable communities, suggesting that more than just procedural errors might be at play, leading to the exclusion of legitimate voters.
