Opposition protests across North Bengal over SIR harassment

Almost all political parties opposed to the BJP on Monday launched coordinated protest agitations across North Bengal—from Cooch Behar to Malda ~ alleging harassment of voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the name of hearings.

The protests coincided with the Supreme Court’s observations on the issue earlier in the day, a development that the Trinamul Congress (TMC) leadership said had vindicated its stand. TMC leaders expressed satisfaction over the court’s remarks while intensifying their agitation at the ground level.

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As part of its programme, the TMC on Monday held demonstrations and supervision drives at various office premises across North Bengal. Several senior leaders participated in the protests after receiving notices from the Election Commission of India (ECI) in connection with the SIR hearings.

Among them, TMC leader and state minister Tajmul Hoque staged a demonstration after receiving an ECI notification for appearing at a hearing. Similar protests were witnessed in Cooch Behar, where zilla parishad Sabhadhipati Sumitra Barman also joined the agitation.

The CPI-M also voiced strong opposition to the SIR process. Addressing the media, CPI-M Cooch Behar district secretary Ananta Roy criticised the manner in which the hearings were being conducted and alleged that common people were being subjected to unnecessary harassment.

In Siliguri, TMC leaders visited several hearing centres as part of a people outreach programme, interacting with voters and collecting feedback on their experiences during the verification process.

Meanwhile, former MP Mausam Noor, who recently rejoined the Congress after leaving the TMC, accused the BJP of harassing ordinary citizens. Speaking to reporters, she said the Congress would soon launch protests at block development offices across all districts of West Bengal.

Significantly, the issue was also raised by the South Malda MP, who had attended an official programme with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Malda on 17 January. The MP reportedly flagged the matter by submitting a written representation.