MIGRANT VOTERS
Bengali hawkers labelled Bangladeshis, detained by UP cops
Around 18 migrant hawkers from Murshidabad, West Bengal, have been allegedly detained in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district, accused of being Bangladeshis. Despite possessing valid EPIC and Aadhaar cards, they remain detained at Nagar police station for the past five days. Local authorities and labor organizations are intervening, seeking their release and verifying their identities.
Election Commission's top brass to discuss pan-India special intensive revision preparedness with state poll machinery
The Election Commission will meet with state representatives to discuss the nationwide rollout of a special intensive revision of voters' lists, following its implementation in Bihar. This initiative aims to eliminate illegal foreign migrants by verifying birthplaces, requiring new electors to provide birth documents and parental information. Opposition parties have raised concerns about potential disenfranchisement due to stringent documentation requirements.
Khera's wife also has 2 voter IDs, Rahul can't extricate himself from 'criminality' in his ranks: BJP
The BJP has accused Congress leader Pawan Khera's wife, Kota Neelima, of possessing two active voter ID cards, escalating the ongoing controversy. This allegation follows claims that Khera himself had multiple voter IDs. The BJP demands an Election Commission probe and criticizes Rahul Gandhi's silence, accusing the Congress of hypocrisy regarding voter fraud and undermining democratic institutions.
Few Trump voters back his immigration crackdown, but some worry about his methods
Despite supporting Donald Trump's strict immigration policies, some of his voters express concerns about the methods used, particularly regarding ICE raids. While they largely back border security and deporting criminals, opinions diverge on the fairness of detentions. Many Trump voters desire a clearer path to legal status for law-abiding immigrants who contribute to the economy.
Bihar roll revision: SC says Aadhaar cannot be standalone proof of citizenship
RJD counsel Prashant Bhushan had argued that the EC was not accepting Aadhaar as standalone proof of identity for the 65 lakh names removed from the draft voter list despite court orders. The bench responded, “We cannot enhance the status of Aadhaar beyond what is ascribed to it by the Aadhaar Act. We can also not go beyond what was said by a five-judge bench in Puttaswamy judgment while upholding Aadhaar.”
Congress submitted 89 lakh complaints to EC during SIR, all rejected, claims Pawan Khera
Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the Election Commission rejected 89 lakh complaints of irregularities flagged by their BLAs during Bihar's electoral roll revision, demanding a re-conduct of the exercise. The EC office refuted the claims, stating no authorized Congress BLA submitted objections and that draft rolls are open for scrutiny, with alleged duplicates undergoing verification.
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West Bengal assembly special session from Sept 1-4 to discuss migrant worker harassment, EC’s voter roll revision
West Bengal assembly is set to convene a special session from September 1-4, addressing critical issues. The state government is expected to bring a censure motion condemning the alleged mistreatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-governed states. Furthermore, a resolution will be tabled to protest the Election Commission's special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
Hope and hate: How migrant influx has changed Germany
A decade after Germany opened its borders to a million migrants, the country grapples with the consequences. While some celebrate a more cosmopolitan society and a boost to the labor market, others lament strained public services and rising crime.
Will not tolerate insult to Bengali language or motherland: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee asserted her commitment to protecting West Bengal from perceived attacks on its language and culture, particularly concerning the treatment of migrant workers and accusations of infiltration. She criticized the central government's alleged economic blockade and divisive tactics, while highlighting Bengal's historical contributions and cultural significance.
Kiren Rijiju hits out at Sayeda Hameed over support to illegal Bangladeshis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly criticised Syeda Hameed's remarks suggesting Bangladeshis can live in India, accusing her of misleading people and supporting illegal migrants. Rijiju highlighted the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, questioning Hameed's stance.
How an eight-month pregnant 'nowhere woman' ended up 'illegal' in India and jailed in Bangladesh
Sunali Khatun from West Bengal is currently in a Bangladesh jail. She is eight months pregnant and faces deportation issues. Indian police and Bangladeshi authorities have branded her an illegal immigrant. She possesses an Aadhaar card and voter ID. She was arrested with her family and others. They were daily wage earners in Delhi. Families are fighting for their return.
EC's 2024 survey found Bihar rolls almost error-free
A 2024 Election Commission survey in Bihar reveals high accuracy in voter rolls but significant gaps in household registration. While most respondents' details are correctly enrolled, many eligible family members remain unenrolled due to lack of awareness and difficulties in obtaining necessary documents. The survey suggests simplifying procedures and improving support for document acquisition to boost voter registration.
UK council wins bid to move asylum seekers from hotel amid anti-immigration protests
Epping Forest District Council secured a court order to relocate asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel. This follows protests sparked by a sexual assault charge against an asylum seeker. The Home Office's attempt to intervene was dismissed. The hotel owner plans to appeal. Tensions remain high after previous unrest and rising concerns about immigration in Britain. Police are on alert.
Perfect voter rolls are a mirage: What matters is how mistakes are corrected
The controversy surrounding the Election Commission's Summary Integrated Revision (SIR) highlights the unrealistic expectation of a flawless voter list. Achieving 100% accuracy in large-scale enumerations is impossible due to human error, respondent inaccuracies, and contextual constraints. The focus should shift towards building transparent, iterative, and credible processes for detecting and correcting errors over time to maintain public trust.
NESO seeks special commission to revise voter rolls, opposes CAA in Northeast
Northeast Students’ Organisation has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding illegal immigration. They want a special commission to revise electoral rolls and remove foreigners. NESO also opposes the Citizenship Amendment Act in the Northeast. The organization highlights demographic changes and insecurity among indigenous people.
EC yet to decide on SIR in West Bengal and other states: CEC Gyanesh
The Election Commission is yet to finalize dates for the Special Summary Revision (SIR) in West Bengal and other states. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addressed the media on Sunday. He clarified that only Indian citizens are eligible to vote in MP and MLA elections. Individuals must prove their nationality during the SIR process.
When a tariff-ic idea in the Stone Age left every OG and Magog stone broke
'A tariff,' explained the magus, 'is something that is imposed as a supposedly corrective measure to deter trade imbalances. For instance, Magog 1 can impose a 25% tariff on Og 1, whereby for every boulder weight of roots and berries and wood that Og 1 supplies, Og 1 has to accept 1.25 boulder weights of woolly mammoth from Magog 1.
In Bengal, Matuas line up in millions for citizenship under CAA
Amidst opposition protests, the Matua community in West Bengal is actively applying for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Organizations and the BJP are assisting Matuas and other refugees excluded from the 2002 voter list. Camps are being organized to raise awareness and help with applications. The CAA allows citizenship for religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Petitioners, poll panel invoke same case to back opposing stands during ongoing SIR debate in SC
The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments in the SIR debate, with both the Election Commission and petitioners citing the 1995 Lal Babu Hussein case as justification. The petitioners argue that the EC's current stance contradicts the precedent set in Lal Babu Hussein, which placed the burden of proof on those registering anew, not existing voters.
Trump voter’s regret! ICE detains supporter who now says, “We were all brainwashed”
Brian Gavidia, a Trump voter, was detained during an immigration raid, leading him to believe he was racially profiled and regret his vote. DHS claims he interfered with agents, but Gavidia feels manipulated by Trump's promises. The ACLU lawsuit, in which Gavidia is a plaintiff, challenges immigration enforcement tactics, resulting in court-ordered limits, now under Supreme Court review.
Merely possessing Aadhaar, PAN card or voter ID doesn't make person Indian citizen: HC
The Bombay High Court denied bail to a man, suspected to be from Bangladesh, accused of illegally entering India and possessing forged documents. The court clarified that documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and voter ID do not grant citizenship, emphasizing the Citizenship Act of 1955 as the primary law.
Bihar polls: Law doesn't require sharing list of people missing from electoral rolls, ECI tells SC
The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court that it isn't legally bound to provide separate lists of individuals missing from electoral rolls or explain their exclusion. This response addresses allegations by NGO ADR regarding the deletion of over 65 lakh names from Bihar's rolls.
UK's Keir Starmer is walking a fine line in tackling immigration
Across Europe, center-left and center-right parties grapple with responding to populist outrage over immigration. In Britain, Nigel Farage is gaining traction by linking crime to immigration, forcing Labour and the Conservatives to balance public fears with avoiding prejudice. While legal migration declines, illegal crossings surge, fueling public concern and demanding honest communication amid skewed perceptions and muddled government messaging.
More than 2,000 migrants return to Bengal: Mamata Banerjee
Giving a call to kindle Bengali 'asmita', Banerjee asked the migrant workers to return to the state and assured them livelihood. "We have ensured the return of 2,000 migrant workers from various states. Bengali migrant workers are tortured in Rajasthan, MP, Haryana and all other states. In MP, a tribal girl has been deported to Bangladesh," Banerjee said.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore moves adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss electoral rolls revision in Bihar
Congress MP Manickam Tagore initiated a motion in Lok Sabha. He sought discussion on Bihar's electoral roll revision. Tagore voiced concerns about marginalized communities being affected. He fears similar issues in Assam and West Bengal. He highlighted alleged voter deletion in opposition areas. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will present the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025.
Mass disenfranchisement is serious issue: Chidambaram slams ECI over Bihar SIR row
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the Special Intensive Revision exercise. He questioned the ECI's conclusion that lakhs of voters in Bihar have permanently migrated, leading to the deletion of their names from the voter list. Chidambaram also raised concerns about the reported addition of 6.
Patently illegal: Chidambaram slams ECI over reported addition of 6.5 lakh migrant voters in Tamil Nadu
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has strongly criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for adding approximately 6.5 lakh migrant workers to Tamil Nadu's electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision exercise, deeming it "alarming" and "patently illegal." He accuses the ECI of overstepping its authority and attempting to alter the electoral character of states, urging political and legal action.
ECI abusing its powers, must be fought politically, legally: P Chidambaram
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has accused the Election Commission of attempting to manipulate the electoral landscape of states. He alleges the Bihar voter revision exercise is disenfranchising voters while Tamil Nadu is illegally adding voters. Chidambaram asserts that these actions constitute an abuse of power that must be challenged through political and legal means.
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