Mamata Banerjee Returns to Dharmatala With Sit-In Protest Against Election Commission's SIR

Almost a decade after her landmark protests, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has returned to the heart of Kolkata’s political battleground. At the bustling Dharmatala junction, near Eden Gardens, Raj Bhavan, and the Legislative Assembly, Banerjee has launched a sit-in protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, highlighting what she calls attempts to undermine voters’ rights ahead of the upcoming state elections.

The site holds deep political significance for Banerjee. In 2006, she staged a 26-day hunger strike at the same location against the Jyoti Basu-led Left Front, a protest that contributed to the Tata Nano project’s exit from Singur and cemented her reputation as a “street fighter", eventually propelling her to power in 2011. This time, the arrangements are more elaborate, with a massive stage, seating, fans, and banners accusing the BJP of “destroying democracy” through SIR.

Supporters see the return as symbolic of Banerjee’s commitment to her constituents. Trinamool follower Indira Sarkar told NDTV, “Whenever Didi sits on a protest here, the people get a message that during tough times, only one leader can be seen among the people, and that is Mamata Banerjee.” The site has previously hosted her high-profile protests, including her 2019 dharna supporting former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar during the Saradha scam probe, which drew national political figures to her side.

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This protest goes beyond SIR. Banerjee is using the platform to challenge the Centre on multiple issues, from LPG price hikes to alleged lapses in protocol during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit and what she describes as attempts to stifle opposition voices. Trinamool MPs, MLAs, councillors, and prominent citizens join her daily, giving speeches and performing protest songs. Each day, around 10 am, Banerjee greets her supporters as traffic is managed to accommodate the crowds.

While BJP leaders have criticised the dharna as political theatre ahead of elections, Banerjee’s supporters argue it addresses genuine public concerns. Sushanta Chatterjee, a local supporter, said, “SIR has harassed the public. Documents, uncertainty, and deletions have impacted so many lives. It’s only the Trinamool that has been seen helping the public ensure their names aren’t left out.”

Out of West Bengal’s 7.66 crore voters, 58.2 lakh were deleted from the draft list, and another 60 lakh are under scrutiny for “logical discrepancies", a matter now before the Supreme Court. As the political battle intensifies, Banerjee’s return to Dharmatala signals her determination to contest both on the streets and in the state’s electoral arena.

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