India's Special Intensive Revision of Voter Rolls Raises Concerns Over Minority Disenfranchisement
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway across nine states and three union territories in India, marking one of the largest voter roll revisions carried out in decades.
Critics argue that the SIR disenfranchises minority voters, particularly Muslims, and resembles a covert national register of citizens akin to the NRC. They warn that this process may favor the Modi government politically.
The ruling BJP denies any irregularities and portrays the SIR as a routine administrative measure intended to remove infiltrators and cleanse the electoral roll of deceased, ineligible, and duplicate voters.
The Election Commission states that the revision seeks to delete names of voters who are deceased, ineligible, or duplicates. However, opposition figures accuse the Commission of colluding with those in power.
Earlier this year in Bihar, over 6.5 million voters were removed during the revision. Opponents contend that many removed voters were alive and that Muslims were disproportionately affected. Subsequently, the BJP won a landslide victory in the state election.
In West Bengal, the SIR has sparked controversy amid widespread fears within the Muslim community about losing citizenship. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) condemns the process as politically motivated. Reports have linked several deaths and suicides, including that of Jahir Mal, to stress stemming from the revision.
Regarding residents of Bangladeshi origin, mixed assurances have been reported from local BJP leadership about citizenship status, especially for Bangladeshi Hindus. Meanwhile, some BJP rhetoric labels certain Muslims as infiltrators, raising concerns about potential deportation.
At the regional level, Tamil Nadu’s DMK opposes the SIR, and Kerala’s CPI(M)-led government has condemned it. Due to the controversies, deadlines for the revision have been extended, with final voter lists now expected by February 2026.
