What’s happening in Bihar today will happen in Bengal next: CPI-ML
The Statesman | 13 July 2025
What is happening in Bihar today will happen in Bengal tomorrow, was the core message of a Press conference, held by the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML) in Kolkata today.
CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya expressed deep concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise currently underway in Bihar.
“We must understand that Bihar’s SIR drive is not a routine electoral revision. It’s unlike the one we had in 2003. This time, the burden lies on the voters to prove they are legitimate citizens of the country—in other words, they have to prove their citizenship,” Bhattacharya stated.
He continued: “What’s happening in Bihar is being dubbed votebandi. We believe this SIR process violates the principle of Universal Adult Franchise—a constitutionally guaranteed right that ensures Indian citizens can vote regardless of caste, social status, religion, ethnicity, or gender.”
When asked who would be most affected by the SIR, he responded: “The poor, the marginalised, women, and the third gender.” He added, “Considering that many of Bihar’s migrant workers are affected by the SIR, we must anticipate the repercussions, if this model is replicated in Bengal. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already indicated that West Bengal is next in line. The Opposition government in Bengal must closely observe how the SIR is being implemented in Bihar.”
When asked if SIR could be seen as a backdoor entry for the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Bhattacharya did not mince words: “It could be. Under SIR, one must prove their citizenship to be included in the electoral roll. Interestingly, among the 11 documents considered valid by the ECI for Bihar’s SIR is the NRC document itself.”
Sharing his observations from the SIR drive in Bihar, Bhattacharya noted: “Electors who submitted their enumeration forms received no acknowledgment. Migrant workers—including those employed abroad—are struggling to submit forms and are thus particularly vulnerable to disenfranchisement and the broader threat to citizenship.”
He emphasised that despite the official cut-off year being 2003, millions in Bihar stand to be affected. “The sudden implementation of SIR has left Bihar voters vulnerable, as the threat of disenfranchisement looms large. The widespread participation in the chakka jam on 9 July showed a glimpse of the public’s anxiety and anger around this votebandi drive. The Bengal government must learn from Bihar’s experience and take steps to ensure that bona fide citizens are not deprived of their constitutional rights.”