Two More Suicides In West Bengal Allegedly Linked To SIR Fears, TMC Blames BJP
Kolkata, West Bengal: Trinamool Congress (TMC) has linked a total of eight deaths in West Bengal to the people’s fears over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Last week, two men in West Bengal’s North and South 24 Parganas districts allegedly died by suicide, and their families and political leaders linking the deaths to anxiety over the upcoming SIR. 57-year-old Safikul Gazi, originally from Ghushighata in North 24 Parganas, was found hanging at his in-laws’ home in Jaypur, Bhangar, and the family points out that he was increasingly anxious after the SIR process began.
“He was terrified about not having valid identity papers. He kept saying he would be thrown out of the country. He had even fallen ill out of fear,” The New Indian Express quoted Gazi’s wife.
While the BJP calls the development politically motivated, the latest suicide follows growing concerns over the SIR. According to the TMC, as many as eight people in the state have died by suicide due to fear over the SIR, though the figure is yet to be verified.
Read Also: SIR Implementation: A Step-By-Step Guide To Ensure Voters’ Names Are On The List
The BJP says the SIR is a routine Election Commission exercise and that law and order is the responsibility of the state government, not the party.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of spreading fear through its campaigns around the NRC, SIR among others.
