Kolkata: The recent revision of the voter list in West Bengal has deleted around 5.8 million names, creating widespread concern, particularly in the Matua-dominated regions. The Election Commission has released the draft voter list and allowed citizens to raise objections until 15 January 2026.
In the Matua belt, residents are anxious about voter verification under the SIR (State Interest Registration) process. Many fear they might lose their voting rights due to missing or unverified documents. Locals are closely watching the upcoming rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nabadia’s Tahirpur, hoping he addresses their concerns.
Fear and Uncertainty Over Voting Rights
Residents of Bangaon and surrounding areas have expressed confusion and anxiety about their future electoral rights. Senior political analyst Shubhamay Maitra noted that the Matua community—comprising Hindu refugees from Bangladesh—is particularly worried about issues related to SIR, verification hearings, and the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act).
A Matua woman stated, “We want to know from PM Modi why our names are missing from the voter list.” Analysis by ET of seven assembly constituencies in Nabadia and five in North 24 Parganas revealed a significant number of unmapped voters who are required to appear for verification hearings.
Election Commission to Begin Hearings
The Election Commission is set to issue notices for verification hearings soon. According to the draft list, over 3.13 million voters are currently unmapped. In Nabadia, key constituencies in the Matua belt with the highest unmapped voter counts include:
- Kalyani: 33,185
- Ranaghat North Purba (SC): 31,891
- Krishnanagar (SC): 30,024
- Ranaghat North West: 28,805
- Ranaghat South (SC): 27,595
- Chakdaha: 22,933
Political Implications
According to the All India Matua Federation, unmapped voters in these constituencies will be summoned for hearings. Historically, the BJP has won several seats in Nabadia during the 2021 assembly and previous Lok Sabha elections, while Trinamool Congress managed only two seats.
Subrata Thakur, a BJP legislator from Gaighata and a member of the Matua Thakur Nagar family, expressed optimism that most residents can present at least one of the 11 required documents, as they have long been settled in Bengal. Former All India Matua Federation Secretary Mohitosh Baidya emphasized that prompt issuance of citizenship certificates from the central government would alleviate community anxieties.
Impact of Religious Persecution from Bangladesh
Baidya added that some impoverished Matua residents do not possess any of the 11 required documents and are apprehensive about attending verification hearings, fearing arrest or deportation. The community’s symbolic significance concerning Bangladesh’s religious persecution remains central to the BJP’s Hindutva narrative, noted political analyst Udayan Bandyopadhyay.
With over 3.13 million voters marked as unmapped in Matua-majority areas, the upcoming hearings and PM Modi’s address are expected to be pivotal in shaping the community’s political future.
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