By Sanhati Banerjee
This is the fifth and final part of a series of stories by Sanhati Banerjee from ground zero in West Bengal, as the state witnesses massive disenfranchisement amid the ongoing polls. Read the first part here: In Murshidabad’s Samsherganj, even speaking of deleted votes is under watch second part here: When documents fail: In Murshidabad’s Lalbagh, proof across generations no longer guarantees a vote third part here: “If we have to die, we will die here”: In Murshidabad’s Beldanga, fear of detention takes a toll on health amid SIR crisis and fourth part here: West Bengal: On the Lalgola streets: A call for protest amid censorship and SIR opacity
In Debipur village of Suti, known locally as “mistri para” for its generations of mechanics and artisans, Rejaul Karim grew up watching his father, Naimuddin Biswas, shape “gorur garir chaka” or wooden wheels for bullock carts.
More than any material inheritance, Karim’s political lineage traces back to 1952, the year of India’s first electoral rolls, where both his grandfather and father were listed as registered voters in post-Independence Murshidabad.
Presently posted at Panrui police station in the Birbhum District of West Bengal, Karim is deployed on election duty, conducting route marches and coordinating with central forces to ensure a smooth polling process.
Yet, 21 months away from retiring from his post of a sub-inspector, when voting takes place, he will not be able to cast his ballot.
At Booth No. 111 in the 57-Suti Assembly constituency, his name has been deleted from the electoral roll.
Thirty-seven years of service, with many laurels to his credit, is now mired in the denial of the right to vote, even when Karim is actively engaged in route marches alongside central forces to ensure the conduct of a free and fair election.
“I have been in service since 1991,” Karim tells Maktoob, speaking between his policing duties in Sainthiya ahead of a mega election rally. “My name was there in the 2002 voter list. My father’s and grandfather’s names were there before that. Still, my name is not there now. I don’t know why,” he states.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.