Mamata warns: ‘Without knowing details, don’t fill any ECI forms for SIR’ | Kolkata News

Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal.

Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor’s degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier’s, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.

He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. … Read More

1. What Happened?

On August 7, 2025, at a public programme in Jhargram, West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning. She urged people not to fill out any Election Commission forms related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) unless they fully understood the implications The Indian ExpressThe New Indian ExpressThe Economic Times.

Key points from her speech:

• She claimed the ECI might remove names from voter rolls, and add new names, suggesting a covert attempt to replicate NRC-like exclusion The Indian ExpressThe New Indian ExpressThe Economic Times.

• She criticised the ECI’s directive for people born after 2006 to present birth certificates, pointing out that many, especially labourers, rely solely on school documents—a reality under her earlier administration when only about 40% had birth certificates The Indian ExpressThe New Indian Express.

• She accused the EC of acting as a “bonded labour of BJP”, protecting its cadre while selectively targeting state officials for suspension over alleged voter fraud The Indian Express+1The New Indian Express.

2. Context & Background

• The SIR exercise began in states like Bihar and may soon be extended nationwide, requiring forms “Form 6” and “Form 8” along with citizenship proof from voters born between 1987 and 2004 The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times.

• Mamata alleges SIR is being used as a “hidden NRC plot”, aiming to systematically remove Bengali voters and introduce allegedly fake names from other states ABP LiveMillenniumPostThe Economic Times.

• She fears the EC could purge genuine voters and manipulate the rolls ahead of 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal The Economic Times+1The Times of India.

3. Why This Matters

1. Voting rights at risk: If names are removed without consent or clarity, many longtime voters—especially the elderly or undocumented—could lose their franchise overnight.

2. Suspicion of political bias: Mamata insists the ECI is being influenced by BJP leadership. She pointed out that new Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has prior bureaucratic ties to Union Home Ministry, raising questions of neutrality The Economic TimesThe Week.

3. Practical hardship: Poor and working-class people often lack birth or parental documentation. Requiring such papers disproportionately burdens them. This is why Mamata challenged central figures to submit their parents’ birth certificates first The Indian Express+1.

4. Political mobilization: The TMC has activated a state-level committee to review voter rolls. They’ve asked block leaders and MLAs to audit voter lists within a short timeframe to catch discrepancies early India TodayThe Economic TimesThe New Indian Express.

4. What Are the Stakes?

• If SIR rolls out nationwide—as the EC has announced—it could be a pivotal point in India’s electoral process The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times+1.

• Opposing parties—including Congress and regional outfits—are escalating scrutiny. In Bihar, Congress has promised to expose alleged malpractices tied to ECI’s SIR roll-out The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times.

• Lok Sabha and state debates are intensifying. TMC MPs have raised adjournment motions in Parliament and are pressing for formal debates over SIR and alleged anti-migrant bias The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times.

5. What Should Viewers Do?

• Stay informed: Watch for official forms and notifications from the ECI carefully before submitting anything.

• Confirm authenticity: Verify if officials or agents collecting forms are genuine. Mamata warns that some may pretend to act on behalf of the ECI, but administer politically motivated drives Reddit+1.

• Check your name frequently: Even if your name appears on the roll now, continue to verify until the process ends.

• Reach out locally: If you feel unsure, contact your local TMC booth office or other electoral assistance services.

[Closing shot: Vlogger smiling]

That’s all for now. If you’re in West Bengal—or any state with voter-roll revision underway—be cautious, ask questions, and protect your vote. Let me know in comments if you’ve received any forms or notices—and I’ll help you understand what they mean. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay alert. Until next time, take care and stay empowered!”