TMC forms teams to support families affected by SIR-linked anxiety deaths in Bengal

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has set up special teams of party leaders to reach out to families of individuals who reportedly died due to anxiety or stress linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee directed the teams to personally visit affected households starting Friday and provide both emotional and logistical support. The leaders are tasked with maintaining regular contact with bereaved families and assisting them in any way possible. “These leaders will meet families of those who reportedly lost their lives, either by suicide or stress triggered by SIR-related issues, and ensure they receive all necessary help,” a party functionary said.

The SIR is a standard administrative exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists, add new voters, remove duplicates, and correct errors. However, the intensive verification process and confusion over notifications have reportedly caused anxiety among some citizens, particularly the elderly or less literate, who feared they might be removed from the electoral rolls. Mental health experts note that pre-existing vulnerabilities or family pressures can exacerbate stress, sometimes with tragic consequences.

The BJP has rejected TMC’s claims, calling them politically motivated. Party leaders emphasise that SIR is a routine process aimed at maintaining accurate voter lists, and any distress experienced by citizens is not directly caused by the exercise itself.

While the SIR process does allow for removal or correction of entries, these changes are officially documented, meaning it is possible to verify if an individual was actually removed or migrated from the voter list. Analysts say the TMC outreach reflects the party’s effort to provide relief while also highlighting administrative challenges and citizen concerns.