Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has sharply criticized the central government for its handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, highlighting reports of 33 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) dying nationwide amid alleged intense work pressure. In a pointed social media post, Sibal contrasted the government's vocal stance against alleged infiltrators with its silence on these tragedies.

The latest incident involved Haradhan Mandal, a schoolteacher serving as a BLO in West Bengal's Bankura district, whose body was discovered on school premises on December 28, 2025. Police recovered a suicide note in which he reportedly cited overwhelming pressure from SIR duties, prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances.

Sibal's remarks directly referenced Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent statements vowing to expel infiltrators and accusing opposition parties of resisting the SIR to protect such names on voter lists. The MP questioned the disparity, asking if the presence of one alleged infiltrator warrants strong action while the deaths of 33 BLOs appear acceptable.

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Booth Level Officers are essential to the SIR process, responsible for door-to-door verification and updates to ensure accurate electoral rolls. The exercise has completed its first phase in Bihar and continues in 12 other states and Union territories, but reports of fatalities have fueled political controversy over workload and timelines.

The deaths have intensified debates on the SIR's implementation, with opposition leaders alleging excessive strain on grassroots workers, while authorities maintain the revision is necessary for electoral integrity. Investigations into individual cases continue as concerns mount over officer welfare during large-scale electoral preparations.

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