BJP Leader Alleges Doctors Coerced to Link Suicides to Special Intensive Revision Process

Currently, a nationwide Special Intensive Revision is being conducted in 12 states and union territories across India.

Kolkata:

BJP leader Locket Chatterjee has made serious allegations that medical professionals are being forced to list the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as the cause of death in suicide cases on death certificates.

She firmly denied claims that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are taking their own lives due to stress associated with duties under the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls.

In her statement to ANI on Wednesday, Chatterjee emphasized, "No one is committing suicide because of the SIR... The doctors are threatened that while giving the death certificate, they have to say that suicide was committed because of the SIR..."

Previously, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate questioned the mysterious deaths of approximately 20 Booth Level Officers across seven states within just 20 days. She demanded accountability and alleged that authorities are evading inquiries regarding the controversial electoral roll revision process.

On Tuesday, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee expressed concerns that BLOs are facing "immense pressure" and accused the Election Commission of "destroying democracy," amid demonstrations outside the Election Commission office.

He elaborated, "Immense pressure is being created upon the BLOs. BLOs distribute and collect forms all day, and at night, they have to upload them all. The servers are down; they can't upload them. They're under pressure. Middle-aged and older people aren't accustomed to computers and uploading. It's much easier for young people and those under 40. So they're under a lot of pressure. The Election Commission is destroying democracy."

Banerjee further stated, "Earlier, electors used to decide who would form the government; now the government is deciding who will be my elector. And who will bring me to power? This is the message that is being sent."

He also claimed that the 'name of the relative' section in forms is becoming grounds for rejecting people's enumeration documents.

He explained, "Another thing I want to tell you is about the enumeration form. In the 'name of relative' section, they expect only the parents' names to be entered. Still, technically, the uncle is also a relative, and the elder brother can be one too. But they are not accepting their names and saying that I will not accept this enumeration form if you have filled this section with your uncle's name. The question is now whether the app will decide my legal right or if the app has to be created based on my legal right."

On Tuesday, tensions increased outside the Election Commission office in Kolkata as protesters gathered to oppose the Special Intensive Revision exercise currently underway in West Bengal.

Police quickly established barricades around the facility as demonstrators surrounded the main entrance, demanding transparency about the ongoing process. Several protesters, including teachers, voiced concerns regarding the accelerated implementation of the SIR exercise.

Bharatiya Janata Party North Kolkata District President Tamoghna Ghosh alleged that certain individuals attempting to enter the office were "TMC goons" intending to create disturbances.

The nationwide Special Intensive Revision is currently taking place in 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal, with the final electoral list scheduled for publication on February 7, 2026.

These states and union territories include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced serious concerns regarding the ongoing SIR in the state, urging immediate intervention from the Election Commission.

Sharing her concerns via a letter posted on X, addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee characterized the SIR exercise as "unplanned, chaotic and dangerous," highlighting issues such as inadequate training, unclear documentation requirements, and the impossibility of meeting voters during their work schedules.

The Chief Minister expressed grave concerns about the ongoing SIR, citing poor planning, insufficient training, and unrealistic timelines that are "compromising the process's credibility."