CPI (ML) Liberation Challenges PM’s ‘Infiltrator’ Remark Over Bihar Survey

Speedy Summary

• CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on illegal immigration during his Independence day speech.
• Bhattacharya claimed no cases of illegal immigrants have been cited in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process ongoing in Bihar, contradicting government assertions.
• The SIR process has reportedly removed 65 lakh voters, and the CPI(ML) alleges this could lead to disenfranchisement without evidence of foreign nationals being involved.
• Bhattacharya accused the RSS-BJP-led government of promoting an anti-immigration agenda, suggesting it risks fostering social division reminiscent of partition-era tensions.
• He also questioned the legitimacy of claims concerning foreign nationals without a Census as 2011 and added that errors in voter lists persist despite official assertions to the contrary.
• The mahagathbandhan plans to launch a “Voter Adhikar Yatra” across Bihar on August 17, aiming to bring attention to voter challenges within the SIR exercise through public meetings and local engagement initiatives.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The debate surrounding Bihar’s SIR process reveals deep divisions over issues like citizenship verification and enfranchisement, with critics questioning both its execution and broader intentions. While ensuring accuracy in voter rolls is crucial for electoral integrity, mass deletions risk alienating genuine voters if not supported by obvious evidence or efficient grievance redress mechanisms. Assertions linking such efforts with unverified demographic changes or illegal infiltration may intensify social anxieties without clear data substantiation from tools like a contemporary Census. As opposition parties mobilize through campaigns such as “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” India faces critical questions about democratic inclusivity amidst politically polarized narratives.

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