Politics Heats Up Over Voter List Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Congress and Owaisi call the process hasty, fearing harm to Dalits, Backward Classes, and Minorities. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court.
Bihar SIR Controversy: A political debate has erupted in Bihar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. Both the Congress and AIMIM have raised questions about the process, casting doubt on the intentions of the central government and the Election Commission. The opposition alleges that this exercise could affect communities associated with social justice.
Congress's Allegation: Dalits, Tribals, and Backward Classes Will Be Affected
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the process being adopted for SIR in Bihar would directly affect Dalits, tribals, minorities, women, and backward classes. Targeting the central government, he questioned why this was not done before the Lok Sabha elections. He stated that starting this exercise before the assembly elections seemed politically motivated.
Why the Rush Despite Supreme Court Case?
Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the matter is currently pending in the Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 28th. Despite this, the Election Commission has announced its implementation across the state. He stated that proving citizenship is not the Election Commission's job and that this role falls outside the commission's traditional responsibilities.
Owaisi's Concern Regarding Seemanchal
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also expressed concern over the SIR process. He said that 60-70% of the youth in the Seemanchal region reside in other states for livelihood. In such a scenario, if the identification process based on Aadhaar is carried out in haste, hundreds of names could be removed from the voter list. He demanded that the Election Commission make the contact numbers of BLOs (Booth Level Officers) public so that local people can get information from them.
Owaisi's Dig: Where Did the People from Nepal-Bangladesh Come From?
Owaisi challenged the Election Commission to explain where the BLOs found people from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. He said that Aadhaar cards, EPICs, and ration cards should be accepted as proof of identity, as the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission.
AIMIM's Claim: We Raised the Issue First
AIMIM leader Owaisi said that his party was the first to raise the issue that the SIR process is like implementing NRC through the back door. He stated that their Bihar president, Akhtarul Iman, is involved in the petition on this issue and has demanded clear guidelines from the Election Commission.
Who Gave the Commission the Authority?
Owaisi also questioned who gave the Election Commission of India the authority to decide whether a person is a citizen or not. He said that inclusion in the voter list does not mean proof of citizenship, but the way the SIR process is being implemented, it gives this impression.
