Man attempts suicide over misspelled name in voter list; Mamata tells Udayan to visit

A second tragic incident linked to the fear surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has come to light in West Bengal. Following the recent suicide of Pradeep Kar in Agarpara, North 24 Parganas, another person, this time from Dinhata in Cooch Behar, attempted to take his own life by consuming poison, allegedly out of similar panic over citizenship documents. He is currently hospitalized, receiving treatment for the self-inflicted poisoning.

The latest incident in Dinhata is reportedly rooted in a minor discrepancy in the individual’s name spelling between the 2002 voter list and the 2025 list, with family members claiming just a single letter was missing. This seemingly small error has caused immense distress and panic, particularly since the announcement of the SIR process, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has termed a "backdoor NRC." Lying in the hospital, the person confirmed his fear, stating, "My name was spelled wrongly in the voter list. I was scared. I don't know anything. I thought it would be better to die than to do this."

While virtually inaugurating several Jagaddhatri Pujas across the state, the Chief Minister addressed the Dinhata incident directly. Before proceeding with the Puja inauguration in Dinhata, she issued an immediate instruction to the local MLA, Udayan Guha, telling him to return and visit the victim's house, underscoring the urgency she attaches to the matter. This direct intervention highlights the ruling party's commitment to tackling the public fear head-on.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress's All India General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, continues to lead the party's aggressive protest against the central government and the Election Commission. He visited the home of the deceased Pradeep Kar in Agarpara, chanting "Justice for Pradeep Kar" and issuing a clear message of assurance to the people of Bengal. He pledged that the party would be on the streets from the very start of the SIR process, urging citizens not to succumb to fear.