A BJP ad today.Elections are not just about who wins, but about the questions that often go unasked – and this time, they matter more than ever. Support our new NL Sena (https://www.newslaundry.com/nl-sena/the-2026-reset-assam-to-puducherry) on the five upcoming assembly polls to help us follow the missing voters, the shifting politics, and the stories that could shape India’s future.Constitution amendment defeated in Lok Sabha, fails to get two-thirds majority (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/17/constitution-amendment-defeated-in-lok-sabha-fails-to-get-two-thirds-majority)

Appellate tribunals or a black hole? Where the Bengal SIR goes to bury a ‘second chance’
https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/18/appellate-tribunals-or-a-black-hole-where-the-bengal-sir-goes-to-bury-a-second-chance


The Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation, which houses all 19 appellate tribunals set up by the Election Commission in West Bengal, is completely restricted. CAPF and West Bengal Police guard the gates, and no one is allowed in unless the judges have formally summoned them.And yet, a steady stream of people keeps arriving at the barricades with documents in little bags, trying to figure out if this is where they’re supposed to be – if this is indeed the place where their names, and perhaps something more than their names, can be restored.

A lady carrying her documents outside the appellate tribunals. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of India said that people whose names were deleted from the voter list can appeal to tribunals. If they’re found eligible, their names can be added back before April 21 and April 27, just days before voting in the first and second phase begins. On paper, it sounds like a second chance. But the ground reality is quite different. There are only 19 appellate tribunals in West Bengal to do this job, all housed in one building, a few kilometres from Kolkata in Joka. These 19 tribunals, headed by retired judges, are to adjudicate 27 lakh voters in a matter of days.

People walking past a barricade outside the appellate tribunals. When Newslaundry reached the Joka tribunal, we expected long queues. Instead, we found confusion. People arriving with dense paperwork, hoping to be heard. The police are tasked with repeatedly explaining that there is no point in waiting. “You can only go in if you have been summoned.” There are no visible Election Commission officials outside to guide people. No clear instructions on what to do if you’ve filed an appeal but haven’t been summoned. Many said they came after hearing the news in the media or being advised by BLOs.Dwijen Mitra, a tailor from Behala, arrived after hearing about it in the news. He has been on the voter list since 2011, he says. But this time, his name is missing.He lost both his parents when he was three. There are no older family records he can easily produce. For the past 8 to 10 days, he has been moving between offices with a stack of documents, trying to get his name back in. Each day, he loses Rs 700 in income.

Dwijen Mitra, a tailor from BehalaNot far from him stood Mrinal Kanti Biswas, a retired Subedar Major from 17 Rajput. He says he served in the Indian Army for 30 years. The idea that he could now be excluded from the voter list, despite that service and a pension, is difficult for him to reconcile. What does his service amount to if the system no longer recognises him as a voter? “We shouldn’t be harassed like this. I have voted thrice. It is just that my father’s name is mentioned as Ajit Kumar Biswas in some documents and as Ajit Biswas in others. It’s just this one issue. At least, I should have been allowed to meet judge Sahab.”

Mrinal Kanti Biswas, a retired Subedar Major from the 17 Rajputana Rifles“Pita ke naam ke thode se mistake se agar delete kar diya toh dukh nahin hoga?” (If my name gets deleted because of a minor mistake in my father's name, won't that be upsetting?) 

Subedar Major Biswas' Certificate of Service Farzana Bibi had come with her own set of documents. Both she and her son have been removed from the rolls, she says, even though she has voted before. Her son now works in Bengaluru as a cook.She spoke rapidly, moving between frustration and anger — “Hum log Bengali bolte hain toh hum log Bangladeshi ho gaye? Hum log Hindi bolte hain to hum log Bihari ho gaye? Jiska poora khandaan yaha janam leta hai, woh kahan jaaega?” (Speak Bengali and you are called Bangladeshi. Speak Hindi, and you are called a Bihari. What happens to those whose entire family was born here? Where will we go?) “We need to know why our vote has been cut, so we have come here. Now they say we can’t go in unless we’ve been called. We are going mad providing documents. Every day, there is a new set of rules, new offices to go to. We are spending Rs 200, Rs 250, Rs 400 just on xerox, who will refund us?”She has been raising her children alone since her husband left years ago. “I am the mother and the father,” she said. “I can only provide my documents, not from my husband’s side.”

Farzana Bibi is speaking to Newslaundry outside the appellate tribunals. Lawyers trying to assist those cast out of the system are running into the same wall.Arindam Das, an advocate at the Calcutta High Court, said he was denied entry when he went to the appellate tribunal on Friday. He has assisted around 105 affected voters from across West Bengal in filing appeals. None of them, he said, has received any notice of hearing so far.“The Supreme Court has given us the liberty that you can approach the tribunal out of turn. That is why we went to the tribunal,” he said.He pointed to the lack of transparency in how hearings are being scheduled, adding that the Election Commission should publish a clear, daily list of cases on its website.Other lawyers reported the same problem. Advocate Kunal Bakshi, who has assisted around 30 people from Purba Bardhaman; Atanu Goswami, who has helped around 100 people from Murshidabad; and Habibur Rahman, who has represented around 150 people from Dakshin Dinajpur, said none of their clients has received hearing notices either. None of them has been summoned by the tribunal yet.Das also flagged confusion in the appeal process itself. While the Election Commission has provided an online link to file appeals, there is no option to upload supporting documents. Many applicants have instead submitted their forms physically at tribunal centres across districts — without clarity on what happens next.What is driving people to Joka is not just the prospect of missing a vote. When the Supreme Court of India observed that those left out can vote the next time, it reduced the issue to an electoral inconvenience. But on the ground, it is being experienced very differently.For many, the voter list is not just about participation in an election. It is one of the few state documents that affirms who you are. To find your name missing — without explanation, while others in your family remain — is to be pushed into a space of doubt.That anxiety runs through the stories we heard. It shows up as confusion that quickly turns into fear. Names disappear, reasons are unclear, and there is no communication on what comes next. People speak of moving between offices, of submitting documents repeatedly, of being told to wait without being told for what.The urgency, then, is not only about April 23. It is about restoring a form of recognition that now feels uncertain.In less than three days, tribunals are expected to process appeals in the run-up to the first phase of polling. The highest number of deletions has occurred in districts such as Malda and Murshidabad. If hearings are being scheduled, it is unclear how people from these districts are expected to travel to Joka at such short notice and be heard before April 21. If the process is meant to be remote or online, there has been little visible communication to that effect.Elections are not just about who wins, but about the questions that often go unasked – and this time, they matter more than ever. Support our new NL Sena (https://www.newslaundry.com/nl-sena/the-2026-reset-assam-to-puducherry) on the ongoing assembly polls to help us follow the missing voters, the shifting politics, and the stories that could shape India’s future.A father, a beneficiary, ex-BLO: The SIR chaos queue in a Bengal district (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/09/a-father-a-beneficiary-ex-blo-the-sir-chaos-queue-in-bengals-worst-hit-district)Bengal’s migrant workers caught between ‘ghuspaithiya’ politics and SIR deletions (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/17/bengals-migrant-workers-caught-between-ghuspaithiya-politics-and-sir-deletions)

Fish, funds, and feminism: What Jadavpur University thinks of the Bengal elections
https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/18/fish-funds-and-feminism-what-jadavpur-university-thinks-of-the-bengal-elections

As West Bengal nears the assembly elections, Newslaundry visited Jadavpur University – a historic epicentre of student activism – to look beyond Delhi-centric narratives and capture the raw concerns of young, educated people. While the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists dominates national headlines, the students here offer a more nuanced, localised perspective.Students describe the Partition of Bengal as an “artificial” divide, preferring the terms Epar Bangla and Opar Bangla (“Bengal on this side” and “Bengal on that side”). To them, Bengali identity is a pluralistic spirit encompassing all communities. Yet, they warn that even food – the traditional bond between Ghotis and Bangals (those who migrated from present-day Bangladesh) – is being weaponised by the BJP as a tool of division.The conversation also captures their intense criticism of the Trinamool Congress government. Students criticise them for “institutionalising corruption,” noting that nearly every competitive exam is mired in legal disputes. They question why political discourse has devolved into a cycle of financial allowances (bhatas) rather than the provision of basic public services such as education, healthcare, and jobs.Safety remains a serious concern, particularly for young women. One student took aim at the Chief Minister’s “feminist” credentials, citing her comments about why women shouldn’t stay out after 8 pm as an indictment of the current safety climate. In an atmosphere where Jadavpur serves as a vital megaphone for the state’s grievances, the students’ message is clear. This election is not merely about defending their identity against “non-Bengali” forces, but about demanding accountability, better public services, and the restoration of a truly inclusive Bengal.Watch this conversation. Elections are not just about who wins, but about the questions that often go unasked – and this time, they matter more than ever. Support our new NL Sena (https://www.newslaundry.com/nl-sena/the-2026-reset-assam-to-puducherry) on the ongoing assembly polls to help us follow the missing voters, the shifting politics, and the stories that could shape India’s future.Tuning into Kolkata’s mann ki baat (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/17/tuning-into-kolkatas-mann-ki-baat)

Deleted despite documents: Inside West Bengal’s ‘political’ SIR
https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/19/deleted-despite-documents-inside-west-bengals-political-sir

The run-up to elections in West Bengal has been anything but normal. The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has led to the exclusion of nearly 90 lakh voters from the electoral rolls. Of these, 27 lakh were excluded after being placed “under adjudication” over “logical discrepancies” in their documents, a criterion the commission has never used before. In this ground report, Sreenivasan Jain and his team unpack the chaos the SIR has unleashed. The deletions do not appear random. Mounting evidence suggests that the design and implementation of the SIR have disproportionately affected Muslim voters. In Basirhat, in North 24 Parganas, Jain finds scores of voters queuing outside government offices, desperately trying to get their names included in the voter list. Excluded voters describe their disbelief and anguish at the surreal reasons for which their names have been struck from the list. “I feel afraid, I feel terrorised,” says Halima Bibi, whose name was struck off after officials flagged an “improbable age gap” of less than 15 years between her and her father, despite documents showing he was 38 at the time of her birth. Jain finds that even privileged voters have not been spared in this exercise. In Kolkata, Jain speaks to Wing Commander Mohammad Shamim Akhtar, a former Air Force officer who served for 17 years before taking premature retirement. Despite possessing all the required documentation and having held a diplomatic passport during his service, he found his name deleted from the rolls. “What is surprising is that no reason has been provided,” he says. Several excluded voters blame the BJP for the Kafkaesque nightmare they are living through. One voter asks, “I am a poor person. I have to bring all my documents again and again, and leave my small children at home. Who is doing this? Modi?” Many of those affected are Muslim voters who have traditionally supported the Trinamool Congress, raising the possibility that the scale of deletions could significantly alter electoral margins. Speaking to Jain earlier this month, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/09/infiltration-sir-washing-machine-the-suvendu-adhikari-interview) denied any political bias. However, in the same breath, he claimed that “the fight is over” electorally after the SIR, openly hinting at a process favouring the BJP.Discontent is also visible among Bengal’s Matuas, a Scheduled Caste community that migrated from Bangladesh, and was wooed by the Modi government with the promise of citizenship under the CAA. Jain visits a Matua colony in Nadia, where many now find themselves disenfranchised and disillusioned by the BJP. When asked about whom she would vote for, a Matua resident whose family members have been struck off the voter roll says, “I will definitely not vote for the BJP… the BJP has troubled us a lot with the SIR.”For many Muslim voters, however, the fear extends beyond disenfranchisement. Some worry about the prospect of detention and deportation. “I am afraid… because Modi says we will send everyone to Bangladesh,” says Ripona Parvin, whose name was deleted over a spelling discrepancy.Watch this ground report.Elections are not just about who wins, but about the questions that often go unasked – and this time, they matter more than ever. Support our new NL Sena (https://www.newslaundry.com/nl-sena/the-2026-reset-assam-to-puducherry) on the ongoing assembly polls to help us follow the missing voters, the shifting politics, and the stories that could shape India’s future.‘Feels like a betrayal’: SIR deletions hit BJP’s own Hindu refugee base in West Bengal (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/07/feels-like-a-betrayal-sir-deletions-hit-bjps-own-hindu-refugee-base-in-west-bengal)Appellate tribunals or a black hole? Where the

Bengal SIR goes to bury a ‘second chance’ (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/18/appellate-tribunals-or-a-black-hole-where-the-bengal-sir-goes-to-bury-a-second-chance)Infiltration, SIR, ‘washing machine’ | The Suvendu Adhikari interview (https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/09/infiltration-sir-washing-machine-the-suvendu-adhikari-interview)

South Central 71: Delimitation row, alliances and what will decide the vote in Tamil Nadu
https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/04/19/south-central-71-delimitation-row-alliances-and-what-will-decide-the-vote-in-tamil-nadu

In this episode of South Central, Pooja Prasanna and Azeefa Fathima discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with RK Radhakrishnan, Ramya Kannan, and Dr C Lakshmanan.Pooja opens the discussion by raising the issue of the timing of the delimitation debate just days before the elections.“What do you make out of the timing of when they decided to bring in this delimitation Bill, knowing well that Tamil Nadu reacts to it very strongly?” she asks.R K Radhakrishnan says that he does not see a point here. “I think it's sheer stupidity, and stupidity is the reason you don't need to look further than that,” he says. Ramya Krishnan points to the way the issue has been handled politically. “The response that has come out has been dismissive of every criticism that has been laid on the delimitation bill itself,” she says.Dr Lakshmanan, however, sees intent behind the move. “Timing is very calculative… overnight because after this introduction and this debate, the radical shift of discourse and political campaign, it changed,” he says.The panel then discusses how the election is being framed as Tamil Nadu versus the Union government.“They have made this entire election into Tamil Nadu versus Delhi,” Pooja notes, pointing to the DMK’s campaign strategy.Radhakrishnan explains how this narrative works politically. “They have to say that X is responsible for it… BJP is not giving us money, BJP is not giving that, no projects… that is why this problem is happening,” he says.Ramya adds that the BJP’s response has not helped its case. “The response that has come out has been dismissive of every criticism that has been laid on the delimitation bill itself,” she says. On alliances, the conversation focuses on the BJP–AIADMK equation and what it could mean if they come to power.“It’s a parasitic relationship at this point because they are not bringing anything technically to the alliance,” says Ramya. She also raises federalism concerns. “It’s quite pathetic that a central government should link the flow of federal funds to an association with the ruling party at the centre,” she adds.Pooja questions whether this could shift power away from the state. “If they come to power, everything else will be dictated from Delhi. Will they be able to stand up to Modi or Shah?” she asks.The discussion then turns to Vijay and the role of TVK in the election. “I can tell you about one fact that will not influence the course of this election entirely… and that is the role of the TVK,” says Ramya.Azeefa Fathima, drawing from ground reporting, highlights the lack of organisational strength. “They don’t have the booth level force to do anything… anywhere you go randomly we ask, and they’ll be like okay we’ll vote for day,” she says. She also notes voter behaviour. “The women will be like, okay, this day is just blabbering something, we’ll go and vote for whatever party we want,” she adds.Dr Lakshmanan questions the lack of groundwork. “Vijay should have done some ground work… that much MGR did not emerge overnight,” he says.The panel also delves into how cadre-based politics continues to dominate in Tamil Nadu.“They have a huge cadre base that is very, very well informed… they know who will vote for them and who will not vote for them,” says Ramya.A key part of the discussion focuses on welfare schemes versus freebies. Dr Lakshmanan is sharply critical. “Unsolicited freebies are the instrument to use to depoliticise the people… it is a political crime,” he says.Ramya offers a counterpoint, highlighting the impact of targeted welfare. “That amount comes in handy for a woman in a rural area… it has given them that latitude to operate as an independent financial entity,” she says.On whether delimitation resonates with voters, Azeefa says the

issue remains unclear on the ground. “People do understand bits and parts of it, but again, the more practical aspect of it is not clear, right, like how it will affect,” she says.Radhakrishnan points to a communication gap. “How will you convert into a consumable fact to an ordinary voter and say this is how you will get affected… I don’t think the DMK has touched upon that at all,” he says.As the discussion closes, the panel reflects on what may ultimately decide the election.“I think the deciding factor will be this… Modi just handed over the election to DMK on a platter,” says Radhakrishnan.Dr Lakshmanan brings the focus back to governance. “It is a referendum on DMK… law and order situation on the ground… price of essential commodities… these are the factors,” he says.Pooja concludes that narrative may play a decisive role. “Eventually, it will be this Tamil Nadu versus Delhi sentiment, even if they don’t understand the details of delimitation,” she says.Tune in to this discussion on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vlvWrvTEOPQezcIQzXk1o?si=V-Tt2zZtSEmjqPkXkc1SpQ&nd=1&dlsi=3afd333183794e76), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tamil-nadu-elections-delimitation-row-alliances-what/id1779661529?i=1000762019825) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96EqwEGLnRk). 
Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com (mailto:southcentral@thenewsminute.com) Send your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form (https://forms.gle/fotHnLrY7uEVbzSB8). Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:03:40 - Delimitation00:12:50 - Tamil Nadu Elections01:06:51 - RecommendationsRecommendations RK RadhakrishnanThe Party as the Family (https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/party-as-the-family-9789369522798/)Faceless People: Documentary Ramya KannanA Woman of No Consequence (https://www.amazon.in/Woman-No-Consequence-Letters-Resistance/dp/9371971606?s=bazaar)The Last of Earth (https://www.amazon.in/Last-Earth-Novel-Deepa-Anappara/dp/0593731352)Dr C LakshmananBhimrao Ramji Ambedkar & Question of Socialism in India (https://www.amazon.in/Bhimrao-Ambedkar-Question-Socialism-Marxisms/dp/3030803740)The Persistence of Caste (https://www.amazon.in/Persistence-Caste-Khairlanji-Murders-Apartheid/dp/1848134495)Azeefa FathimaThe Minds of Billy Milligan (https://www.amazon.in/Minds-Billy-Milligan-Daniel-Keyes/dp/0553263811)Pooja PrasannaThe DMK Years (https://www.amazon.in/DMK-Years-Ascent-Descent-Survival/dp/0670097896/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&sr=1-1)2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections (https://www.thenewsminute.com/topic/2026-tamil-nadu-assembly-elections)Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. (https://pages.razorpay.com/reporting-fund) To check out our other shows, Click here (https://www.thenewsminute.com/videos)To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here (https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAPDLKCxoB4y7QzMZ20)Produced & edited by Bhuvan Malik, written by Sukanya Shaji.