In West Bengal, a significant number of domestic helpers, reportedly undocumented individuals from Bangladesh, are allegedly leaving their jobs and the state following the declaration of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for voter lists. This electoral update has sparked claims of a sudden disappearance of these workers.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT Cell and West Bengal observer, brought these reports to light on social media. He indicated that many domestic workers in the Birati, Bisharpara, and surrounding areas of North 24 Parganas have gone missing shortly after the SIR was announced. Malviya provided an example of a woman employed for over 25 years who disappeared and was later confirmed to have returned to Bangladesh.
Reports from various families in the district suggest a pattern of departure, with some workers allegedly informing their employers of temporary returns to Bangladesh pending the resolution of the voter list revision. Malviya suggested this indicates a vulnerability in the ruling party’s electoral support, criticizing previous and current state administrations for allegedly providing sanctuary and political backing to illegal immigrants.
The BJP has long asserted that the Trinamool Congress’s strenuous opposition to the SIR is driven by the potential disenfranchisement of its alleged voter base of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. The Trinamool Congress, however, maintains that the SIR is a pretext by the BJP and the Union Government for introducing the NRC in West Bengal.
The Chief Election Commissioner has designated 12 states, including West Bengal, for the SIR process, which is slated to begin in the state on November 4.