West Bengal Farmer Attempts Suicide Over Voter ID Spelling Error Amid Electoral Revision Fears

In his voter ID card, Shaikh's name was misspelled as "Sekh," causing significant distress.

A West Bengal farmer attempted suicide after becoming fearful that a spelling error on his voter identification card might lead to his removal from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process being conducted ahead of next year's crucial assembly elections.

The incident occurred on Wednesday in the Jeetpur area of Burirhat-2 Gram Panchayat in Cooch Behar's Dinhata region.

The individual, identified as Khairul Shaikh, consumed pesticide while working on his farm, according to sources. He was immediately transported to Dinhata hospital and subsequently transferred to Cooch Behar M.J.N Medical College Hospital, where his condition is now reported as stable.

"My name is incorrectly spelled in the voter list. I feared being removed from the voter list, which led me to attempt suicide," he explained to reporters from his hospital bed.

On his voter identification card, "Shaikh" was misspelled as "Sekh."

The farmer resides with his wife and a specially-abled daughter. Family members revealed that he had been anxious ever since the SIR process was initiated in Bengal recently.

After learning of the incident, Trinamool Congress' Cooch Behar district president Abhijeet De Bhowmik visited the hospital.

"This unfortunate incident stems from fear and confusion. The SIR process has created widespread fear among the general public," he stated.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instructed state minister and MLA Udayan Guha to visit the man immediately. "I want every legitimate voter to remain secure. We do not practice division and rule. I pray for democracy to strengthen alongside judicial and press pillars," she remarked.

On Tuesday, a 57-year-old man in North 24 Parganas district died by suicide, leaving a note stating "NRC (National Register of Citizens) is responsible for my death."

"The SIR was announced recently. According to his family, he had been restless since then. They assumed he was feeling unwell. After dinner, he retired to his bedroom. In the morning, his brother's wife called for him multiple times but received no response. Subsequently, other family members and neighbors entered the house and discovered his body," explained Barrackpore Police Commissioner Muralidhar.