Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Bengal Deleted Voters Demand Rights Amid Growing Fear and Uncertainty
Some people in Bengal were removed from the voter list during a special review.
Activists say many of these people were genuine voters and did nothing wrong.
They are worried that officials might say they are not citizens.
The activists also say some political leaders threatened to send deleted voters to Bangladesh.
A group called Sangrami Ganamancha is organising a peaceful rally on September 2.
The group wants genuine voters to get their voting rights back.
It also wants tribunals to decide appeals quickly.
The organisers say deleted voters should not lose access to government welfare programs while their cases are being considered.
Rights activists say millions of voters removed during Bengal’s special intensive revision fear being declared non-citizens.
Sangrami Ganamancha alleges that threats of deportation to Bangladesh have intensified anxiety among deleted voters.
The group will hold a mass rally on September 2 from Moulali’s Ramleela Maidan to Esplanade.
Organisers demand restoration of genuine voters’ rights, faster tribunal hearings, and continued access to welfare schemes.
Around 6.5 lakh voters were deleted in Kolkata and Howrah, with civic elections due in December.
- Who
- Deleted voters, rights activists including members of Sangrami Ganamancha, and the BJP are central to the report.
- What
- Activists are protesting the deletion of voters from Bengal’s electoral rolls and demanding restoration of voting rights and quicker appeals.
- When
- The concerns were raised at a Tuesday news conference; a mass rally is planned for September 2, ahead of civic polls due in December.
- Where
- The issue concerns Bengal, particularly Kolkata, Howrah, Malda, Murshidabad, North 24-Parganas, and Nadia. The rally will proceed from Moulali to Esplanade.
- Why
- Activists say genuine voters were wrongly excluded and fear being declared non-citizens or losing welfare benefits.
- Issue
- Deletions from Bengal’s electoral rolls during a special intensive revision
- Activist platform
- Sangrami Ganamancha
- Planned rally
- September 2, from Ramleela Maidan in Moulali to Esplanade
- Main demands
- Restore genuine voters’ rights, expedite tribunal proceedings, and protect welfare access
- Deleted voters in two cities
- Around 6.5 lakh in Kolkata and Howrah
- Upcoming elections
- Civic polls in Kolkata and Howrah are due in December
- Tribunals
- SIR tribunals were established following Supreme Court directions and are headed by retired Calcutta High Court judges