Banerjee Vows Legal Challenge to Controversial SIR Exercise
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced her government will file a petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Banerjee, identifying herself as a trained lawyer, described the exercise as ‘inhumane’ and claimed it is causing undue harassment and distress to citizens.
She specifically pointed to reported deaths allegedly linked to fear and anxiety induced by the SIR process, which involves door-to-door verification of voter details. Banerjee labeled the current form of the SIR exercise a ‘farce’ during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The state government intends to argue that the methods employed during the SIR are causing significant hardship and are not conducive to a fair and peaceful electoral process. Details of the petition and specific grievances will be outlined in the court filing. This legal challenge escalates the ongoing tension between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission as the country prepares for general elections.
