A fierce political row has erupted in West Bengal after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee linked the death of a 95-year-old man to fears surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned Banerjee’s remarks, accusing her of politicizing a personal tragedy and spreading misinformation to incite public anxiety.
The deceased, Khitish Majumdar, reportedly died by suicide in Ilambazar, Birbhum district, on October 29, 2025. His family claimed that he was distressed over the possibility of being excluded from the voters’ list due to discrepancies in the 2002 electoral roll. Mamata Banerjee, in a public statement and a post on X, blamed the BJP and its allies for creating a “fear psychosis” through the SIR process, which she described as a politically motivated exercise.
🧠 Timeline of Events and Political Reactions
| Date | Event Description | Political Response |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2025 | First suicide linked to SIR reported in Khardaha | Mamata calls it “avoidable tragedy” |
| Oct 29, 2025 | 95-year-old Khitish Majumdar dies by suicide | Mamata blames BJP’s “politics of fear” |
| Oct 30, 2025 | BJP issues rebuttal, accuses Mamata of politicizing death | BJP calls Mamata’s remarks “false and inflammatory” |
The BJP has demanded an apology from the Chief Minister and urged her to refrain from making “baseless allegations.”
🗣️ Statements from Key Leaders
| Leader | Remarks Summary |
|---|---|
| Mamata Banerjee | “These are politically inflicted tragedies caused by fear of SIR and NRC.” |
| BJP Spokesperson | “Mamata is exploiting a personal loss for political mileage.” |
| TMC Leaders | “The SIR process is opaque and exclusionary.” |
| Election Commission | “SIR is a routine voter list verification exercise.” |
The Election Commission clarified that the SIR process is standard and not linked to NRC implementation.
📊 Impact of SIR and NRC Anxiety in Bengal
| Region | Reported Incidents | Public Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| North 24 Parganas | 1 suicide | Fear of land and identity loss |
| Birbhum | 1 suicide | Anxiety over voter list exclusion |
| Kolkata | Protests reported | Demands for clarity on SIR process |
| Murshidabad | Rumors circulating | Confusion over NRC implications |
The rollout of SIR has triggered widespread concern, especially among elderly and marginalized communities.
🧭 What Is SIR and Why It Matters
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| SIR (Special Intensive Revision) | A voter list verification exercise conducted by the Election Commission |
| NRC (National Register of Citizens) | A proposed registry to document legal citizens of India |
| BLO (Booth Level Officer) | Officials conducting door-to-door verification from Nov 4, 2025 |
While SIR is not legally linked to NRC, public perception has conflated the two, leading to panic.
🧠 BJP’s Counter-Narrative
| Claim by BJP | Supporting Argument |
|---|---|
| Mamata’s remarks are misleading | No official NRC rollout in Bengal |
| SIR is routine | Conducted in other states without controversy |
| TMC spreading fear | Using misinformation to mobilize voters |
| EC is neutral | Independent constitutional body |
The BJP insists that Mamata’s statements are part of a larger strategy to deflect from governance issues.
📉 Public Sentiment and Media Coverage
| Stakeholder Group | Reaction Summary |
|---|---|
| Civil Society | Calls for mental health support and voter education |
| Media Analysts | Divided opinions on political motives |
| Local Residents | Confusion and fear over voter list verification |
| Opposition Parties | Support Mamata’s demand for transparency |
The issue has reignited debates on citizenship, identity, and electoral integrity in Bengal.
📌 Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the death of a 95-year-old man in West Bengal has escalated into a full-blown political clash between the BJP and TMC. While Mamata Banerjee attributes the tragedy to fears induced by the SIR and NRC, the BJP has dismissed her claims as politically motivated and inflammatory. As the Election Commission prepares to begin door-to-door verification, the need for clear communication and public reassurance becomes paramount. The incident underscores the fragile intersection of policy, perception, and politics in a state already grappling with deep-rooted anxieties.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and political statements. It does not constitute legal or political advice. All views are for informational purposes only.
