West Bengal is witnessing a fierce political clash following a second reported incident a suicide attempt allegedly connected to anxieties over the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has swiftly blamed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for fostering a “politics of fear,” while the BJP vehemently dismisses the allegations as politically motivated, asserting that no NRC is currently being implemented.
Cooch Behar Farmer’s Suicide Bid Fuels Panic
The latest incident occurred in North Bengal, specifically Cooch Behar district, barely 24 hours after a suicide in the vicinity of Kolkata. Authorities and local sources confirmed that Khairul Sheikh, a 60-year-old farmer, allegedly tried to take his own life on Wednesday afternoon by consuming pesticide at his residence. Neighbors intervened and rushed him to the Cooch Behar Medical College and Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Sheikh’s family revealed that his distress stemmed from a fear that his name might be struck off the voter list during the ongoing SIR verification process. Despite being included in the 2002 electoral rolls, a spelling error in his entry reportedly made him anxious about being marked ineligible. Family and neighbors’ attempts to reassure him were unsuccessful, as he remained deeply fearful of official action to remove his name.
The North 24 Parganas Tragedy
This suspected suicide attempt follows the tragic death of 57-year-old Pradeep Kar in North 24 Parganas just a day earlier. Kar was found hanging at his home, leaving behind a note that explicitly stated, “NRC is responsible for my death.” Police officials confirmed that Kar appeared to have been deeply distressed following the official announcement of the SIR drive.
Trinamool Accuses BJP of ‘Politics of Fear’
The Trinamool Congress has weaponised these two incidents in its political narrative against the BJP. The party has directly accused the BJP of deliberately “spreading fear and division” through its rhetoric on citizenship.
“Two lives. Two tragedies. One cause. BJP’s politics of hate,” the Trinamool stated, asserting that the events underscore the growing anxiety created by the citizenship-related exercises. They argue that the BJP is generating panic to further its political agenda.
BJP Calls Allegations ‘False Narrative’
In a strong counter-attack, BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and IT cell chief Amit Malviya, have outright rejected the TMC’s claims. They have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and a “false narrative” manufactured by the ruling party.
“There is no NRC anywhere in the country,” Malviya posted on a social media platform, accusing the Chief Minister and the TMC of resorting to “lies and theatrics” to deliberately spread fear for political gain. Adhikari echoed this sentiment, arguing that Kar’s death was “no way related to the issue of NRC and SIR” and was a fabrication peddled by the ruling party. The BJP maintains that the TMC is the one “weaponizing fear” to exploit people’s anxieties.
As police investigations are underway in both Cooch Behar and Panihati to ascertain the exact circumstances and link to citizenship fears, the political row over the NRC and the electoral roll revision continues to escalate in the state.
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