In a concerning development for Kolkata’s Chinese community, the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to the exclusion of 484 voters across three assembly constituencies, as revealed by the Sabar Institute’s analysis. The constituencies affected include Kasba, Entally, and Chowrangee, highlighting a systemic issue surrounding voter disenfranchisement.
The breakdown of the exclusion is notable: in Kasba, which hosts the city’s vibrant Chinatown, 307 electors were removed from the rolls-160 men and 147 women. Entally saw 56 individuals dropped, comprised of 30 men and 26 women, while Chowrangee reported 121 deletions, with 62 men and 59 women excluded. Souptik Halder, a researcher at the Sabar Institute, explained the method behind these findings, stating, “By employing a program trained on data correlating with common Chinese-sounding names across extensive records, we confirmed the exclusion of 484 individuals. However, this figure likely underrepresents the true extent of disenfranchisement, as the dataset may not encompass less common names.”
The analysis also categorized a significant portion of those excluded-389 out of 484-as “untraceable” or “absent,” marking a concerning 80% of the deleted voters from the Chinese community. This lack of engagement raises alarms about the efficacy of the verification process. “With 389 individuals labeled as untraceable, these findings indicate a lapse in a verification system that may not adequately reach genuine, longstanding residents,” noted Ashin Chakraborty, another Sabar researcher.
Historically, Kolkata has been a cosmopolitan hub where the Chinese community has played a vital role in its cultural tapestry. Sabir Ahamed of the Sabar Institute remarked on the community’s diminishing presence: “Over the years, the population of Chinese residents has declined significantly, leaving them concentrated in a few areas of the city.” According to Ahamed, approximately 2,000 individuals of Chinese descent now reside in Kolkata, significantly fewer than in previous decades.
The ongoing SIR process has already resulted in the deletion of about 5.8 million names in West Bengal, with Kolkata accounting for over 606,000 of these deletions. Notably, the Kolkata North constituency exhibited the highest percentage-25.92%—of deletions attributed to reasons such as “absent, shifted, dead, and duplicate” (ASDD) voters.
As discussions surrounding voter representation and community engagement intensify, the implications for the Chinese population in Kolkata are profound. Surveys and community input are increasingly critical to ensure that no group is overlooked in electoral participation. The findings from the Sabar Institute serve as a stark reminder that systemic challenges remain for marginalized communities within the electoral process.
As this story unfolds, it underscores the importance of an inclusive approach in civic matters-one that respects and acknowledges the diverse fabric of Kolkata. The situation calls for immediate attention to address not only the technical aspects of voter registration but also the equitable treatment of all communities within the electoral landscape.
The implications of these deletions resonate beyond the numbers, challenging the integrity of the electoral process and the very notion of representation in Kolkata.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/484-electors-from-kolkatas-chinese-community-deleted-during-sir-study/article70498340.ece
Category : Kolkata
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-01-12 02:41:00
