Voter roll revision underway in poll-bound state: Since 2002 SIR, steepest rise in voters in Bengal’s border districts

The SIR is currently underway across the state’s 23 districts (some larger districts were carved into smaller ones between 2002 and now).

According to data available with the ECI, the nine districts on the border that have seen an uptick are: Uttar Dinajpur (105.49% increase in number of registered voters), Malda (94.58%), Murshidabad (87.65%), South-24 Parganas (83.30%), Jalpaiguri (82.3%), Cooch Behar (76.52%), North-24 Parganas (72.18%), Nadia (71.46%) and Dakshin Dinajpur (70.94%) (see box). The only non-border district in the top 10 is Birbhum (73.44%).

Kolkata was an outlier, witnessing the lowest rise in voter numbers at just 4.6%. From 23,00,871 voters in 2002, the number rose to just 24,07,145 voters.

Speaking to The Indian Express, TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, “The sharp rise is due to Hindu refugees who have come from Bangladesh and settled in the border districts. The Hindu population in Bangladesh dropped from 23% (in 1951) to 8% (in 2022). They have not gone to China. Apart from small sections going to Assam and Tripura, the majority have come to West Bengal.”

He claimed there is a false narrative being spread by the BJP of Muslim infiltration. “Such people have settled in Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Bangaon, where the BJP has won with their votes… In Malda and Murshidabad, there is a sizable Muslim population, and we have won seats. However, our Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, does not believe in such religious divisions and is demanding protection for all,” said Chakraborty.

Asked about Kolkata’s relatively low uptick, Chakraborty said he isn’t sure what explains the data.

Senior BJP leader and former state president Rahul Sinha called it an “alarming trend”. “We have been saying this for years, and it’s now being reflected in data. Seven districts bordering Bangladesh are in an alarming condition, and many are expected to become or will become Muslim-majority districts due to infiltration,” he alleged.

“This infiltration and creation of hubs is being planned. That is why data shows an abnormally high percentage of voters as compared to 2002,” he claimed.

CPI(M) state president and Politburo member, Md Salim, told The Indian Express that the inflow from Bangladesh is definitely a factor in the rise of numbers at the border districts. “BSF should have checked this. A sizable number of Hindu refugees also came in with others; that’s why the Hindu population declined in the neighbouring country,” he said.

Regarding the low figures of Kolkata, Salim said there are various reasons. “Firstly, during the Left Front regime, we were able to develop small urban centres into towns. District towns were also developed. So people from villages did not directly come to Kolkata but went to these towns, like Barasat. We were able to develop rural areas. Secondly, I think a section of people have moved out of Kolkata… some may have settled in the suburbs too, if they haven’t left the state. The birth rate (in Kolkata and the districts) is also a factor; it is not of a religious nature but due to backwardness.”

On Kolkata’s figures, BJP’s Sinha claimed, “Infiltrators may use it as a conduit but never as a place of residence due to the high cost of living. Buying an apartment in Kolkata is costly. With the same money, residences of 50 people can be accommodated in the districts.”