A resident of Panchla in Howrah has petitioned the President of India and the Supreme Court of India, seeking permission for voluntary death (euthanasia). Faridul Islam, the petitioner, claims he has been driven to this extreme step due to the “profound indignity” of having his name removed from the national voter list.
Claims of Exclusion During Electoral Roll Revision
In his detailed letter, Faridul Islam asserts that, despite his ancestors having lived in India for generations, his name was excluded from the electoral rolls during the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Faridul claims his case is not an isolated incident, alleging that approximately 9.1 million people across the state have lost their voting rights through this mechanism. According to the petition, the SIR process is “contrary to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution” and disproportionately targets the marginalized.
Documentation Barriers for Marginalized Communities
The letter highlights the practical hurdles faced by India’s impoverished citizens in proving their lineage. Faridul argues that the SIR process demands documents—such as legacy government records, educational certificates, and birth registrations—that many rural and economically disadvantaged families simply do not possess.
Allegations of Discriminatory Impact
He specifically alleges a discriminatory pattern in the exclusions, claiming the process severely impacts Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasi communities. Faridul contends that discrepancies in names or details resulting from past clerical errors are now being used to penalize ordinary citizens. The petitioner also questioned the legal basis of the SIR process, describing frequent alterations in rules as a violation of the principles of natural justice.
“Second-Class Citizen”: Emotional Appeal in Petition
Faridul, who describes himself as a healthy and able-bodied citizen, stated in his concluding remarks that living as a “second-class citizen” without a voice in the democratic process is an unbearable humiliation. “I find the indignity of being stripped of my voting rights unbearable. Consequently, I have felt compelled to request permission for voluntary euthanasia,” the letter reads. He has requested a resolution within a specified timeframe, failing which he seeks the right to end his life.
No Official Response Yet, Debate Intensifies
While the President’s Secretariat and the Supreme Court have yet to issue a formal response, the plea has sparked intense debate. Political analysts and civil society activists are calling for an immediate review of the voter verification process. Experts warn that if electoral roll revisions lack “transparency, humanity, and inclusivity,” they risk eroding public trust in the country’s democratic framework.
