An analysis of the deletion of the voters of Assembly constituencies with majority of Matua population in West Bengal reveals a high number of permanently shifted and untraceable voters during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The analysis of about 15 Matua-dominated Assembly constituencies by the Kolkata-based Sabar Institute pointed out that an average 33.95% deleted voters have been described as permanently shifted. The average number of untraceable/ absent voters across these 15 constituencies stands at 21.56%. These 15 constituencies are located in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.
The highest per cent of deletions on account of untraceable/ absent voters is from the Krishnaganj Assembly seat in Nadia with 42.11% deletions. This was followed by Ranaghat Uttar Purba with 34.56% deletions on account of untraceable/ absent voters in the same district.
The highest per cent of deletions on account of permanently shifted voters was recorded in Bangaon Dakshin constituency with 41.76% deletions. This was followed by 38.46% deletions in Swarupnagar on account of permanently shifted voters. Both these constituencies are located in North 24 Parganas.
Sabir Ahamed of the Sabar Institute said the collaborative evidence-based analysis of the SIR exercise in West Bengal was done by Ashin Chakraborty and Souptik Halder.
Mr. Ahamed pointed out that dominant political narrative portrayed in West Bengal was that electoral rolls are being filled with Rohingya and Bangladeshi names, however, our study reveals a completely different reality.
“Matuas are vulnerable social groups, despite residing here for years, remain excluded from the rolls. The political promise of granting them citizenship continues to be elusive,” he added.
Mr. Chakraborty said the Matua community was one of the most affected groups in the SIR process.
“In constituencies such as Krishnaganj, ‘untraceable/absent’ has become the main reason for voter deletion, which is uncommon in most parts of the State. This is a serious issue and needs urgent attention, especially because the Matua community is already socially and economically marginalised,” Mr. Chakraborty said.
The researchers have also held a surname analysis in the Matua belt across these 15 constituencies which point out that people with Biswas surname have accounted for the highest 20.79% deletions. This is followed by persons with Mondal surname with 17.83% deletions and Das surname with 10.78% deletions. All the three surnames are used by the Matua population.
Matuas are a social group largely comprising Namashudras who have migrated from Bangladesh over the past several decades. The community of Hindu refugees largely residing in North 24 Parganas and Nadia district have been apprehensive of the SIR since they lack legacy data. The SIR fears have over the past few weeks have prompted the Matuas to apply for citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019.
Matuas population has been adversely affected with SIR deletions that is evident from Bharatiya Janata Party MP and Matua leader Shantanu Thakur’s recent remarks, which drew criticism from his political opponents.
“If 50 lakh Rohingya, Bangladeshi Muslims and Pakistani Muslims are removed in SIR, while one lakh of our own people are required to stop voting for a while, where are we gaining more?” Mr. Thakur said at a BJP event in West Bengal’s Hanskhali-Garapota on Monday.