Mamata Banerjee blames BJP for 'avoidable tragedies' linked to SIR exercise in Bengal

Upping the ante against the SIR, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that within 72 hours of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) announcement of the SIR exercise in Bengal, “an exercise has been bulldozed through at the BJP’s behest, and one avoidable tragedy after another has occurred.”

Banerjee said, taking to her X handle, “We are witnessing the tragic consequences of the BJP’s politics of fear, division, and hate. Within 72 hours of the Election Commission’s announcement of the SIR exercise in Bengal — an exercise bulldozed through at the BJP’s behest — one avoidable tragedy after another has occurred.”

Kindling Bengal and Bengali-speaking sentiments, Banerjee said, “For generations, the people of Bengal have lived with dignity. Today, they are being forced to ask whether they still belong to the land of their birth. This cruelty is unconscionable and must not be allowed to stand.”

“I appeal to every citizen: Do not be provoked, do not lose faith, and do not take any extreme step. Our Maa-Mati-Manush Sarkar stands with you. We will not allow the NRC to be implemented in Bengal — neither through the front door nor through the back door,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee claimed that she would not permit a single legitimate citizen to be branded an “outsider.” “Until the last drop of our blood, we will fight to protect the rights of the people and to defeat the BJP and their allies’ nefarious agenda to tear apart the social fabric of our nation,” the CM noted.

“On October 27, 57-year-old Pradeep Kar of Panihati, Khardaha, died by suicide, leaving a note that read, ‘NRC is responsible for my death.’ On October 28, a 63-year-old man from Dinhata, Cooch Behar, attempted to take his life, terrified of harassment under the SIR process,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee listed the names of people in other districts who have attempted suicide and mentioned 95-year-old Khitish Majumdar. “And today, 95-year-old Khitish Majumdar from Kotwali, Paschim Medinipur, living with his daughter in Ilambazar, Birbhum, ended his life, gripped by the fear that he and his family might be dispossessed of their land. Who will answer for these avoidable, politically inflicted tragedies? Will the Home Minister accept responsibility? Will the BJP and its allies, under whose watch this fear psychosis has spread, find the courage to speak out?” Banerjee said.

“A 95-year-old man, who has given his life to this soil, is forced to die to prove he belongs to it. What could be a deeper wound on the nation’s conscience? This is not just a tragedy — it is a betrayal of humanity itself,” the CM added.

Meanwhile, AITC leadership claimed that there had been irregularities in the 2002 SIR data and that many voters’ names were missing, alleging a conspiracy. AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has called a rally seeking justice for Pradeep Kar, who committed suicide in fear of the NRC.

“Before the SIR has commenced properly, many names of Bengalis have been removed from the voter list,” said Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, adding, “The BJP is claiming that one crore plus voters will be removed.”