India's Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Sparks Political Controversy and Minority Concerns
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is currently being conducted in nine states and three union territories across India as part of a major revision effort, with the final voter lists expected to be published by February 2026 after some delays.
Opposition parties have criticized the SIR, alleging that it disproportionately disenfranchises minority voters, especially Muslims, and amounts to a de facto national citizenship register designed to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP and government officials, however, maintain that the SIR is a routine administrative process aimed at cleansing the voter lists by removing deceased, ineligible, and duplicate names. BJP leader Amit Shah has characterized the exercise as "detect, delete and deport."
The Election Commission has stated that the purpose of the SIR is to remove only ineligible names. Critics challenge this claim, arguing that the Election Commission is under political influence. For example, in Bihar, approximately 6.5 million names were removed in a process linked to the BJP's landslide victory in the state.
In West Bengal, the government led by Mamata Banerjee views the SIR as politically motivated and asserts that it has instilled fear among Muslim communities. The process has also been connected to a distressing case involving the suicide of Jahir Mal.
Bangladeshi Hindus living in India report that local BJP leaders have assured them they will be granted citizenship, highlighting ongoing tensions related to illegal migrant status and labels such as "infiltrators."
In Parliament, Rahul Gandhi accused the SIR of causing vote theft and undermining democratic processes, citing evidence of foul play. BJP officials have categorically denied these accusations.
The SIR has also prompted negative reactions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala's domestic politics. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) opposes the process, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Kerala government condemns it as a covert citizenship survey.
