Nobel laureate Amartya Sen raised serious concerns about the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, cautioning that it could disproportionately harm India’s poor and marginalized communities. Speaking in Kolkata on Friday, Sen criticized the bureaucratic demands for strict documentation, which many lack, risking their exclusion from the electoral process.

“Administrative updates are necessary, but not at the expense of fundamental rights,” Sen told reporters. “You cannot justify harming many to fix a few errors.” He stressed that a just system must prioritize the vulnerable, noting that millions without proper documentation are already excluded from voting.

The Election Commission’s SIR aims to create accurate electoral rolls, but it has sparked controversy. In Bihar, the first phase of SIR excluded over 65 lakh enumeration forms, reducing the voter count from 7.9 crore to 7.24 crore. Critics, including political parties, fear wrongful deletions of eligible voters, undermining democracy.

Also Read: ECI’s Bihar Roll Revision: Democracy at Risk?

Sen, globally renowned for his work on poverty and justice, spoke at a public discussion titled India’s Youth: Social Opportunities They Should Have. Engaging with students, he advocated for “yukta sadhana” (joint practice), urging India to foster active communal collaboration beyond mere tolerance. He cited historical examples like Dara Shikoh’s translation of the Upanishads into Persian, which globalized Hindu philosophy, and his grandfather Kshitimohan Sen’s work on Hindu-Muslim cultural unity.

The event also marked the relaunch of Kshitimohan Sen’s book, Bharate Hindu Musalmaner Yukta Sadhana, by the Pratichi Trust. With a new introduction by Sen, the book highlights the shared traditions of Hindus and Muslims, offering timely insights amid growing polarization.

Sen’s remarks underscore the need for inclusive policies to protect democratic participation and promote social unity.

Also Read: Stalin Questions Election Commission’s Transparency