Malda: The Hindu Community Trust (HCT) of Malda on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Malda District Magistrate, urging the Election Commission to allow Hindu refugees from Bangladesh to exercise their voting rights using their Special Intensive Revision (SIR) receipt copies. The organisation warned that a large number of long-settled refugees living across Habibpur, Bamangola, Old Malda and Gazole blocks may lose their right to vote ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections due to recent regulatory changes.
According to HCT leaders, many of these refugees—who have been residing in the region for decades—are being pushed into a fresh documentation process under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). They fear that delays in granting citizenship under the new procedures might result in thousands being excluded from the electoral rolls.
“These people have lived here for decades. They contribute to the local economy, pay taxes, and are part of our society,” said Sabyasachi Das, a representative of the HCT. “Denying them the right to vote merely because of procedural delays is unjust.”
HCT members further argued that the affected refugees have long been recognised as residents for all practical purposes and many have participated in previous elections. The sudden requirement to reapply for citizenship, they said, has created uncertainty and anxiety within the community.
“We have requested the administration to ensure that refugees holding SIR receipt copies are allowed to vote,” Das added. He warned that if the concerns of the refugee population are ignored, the organisation will intensify its agitation. “If needed, we will launch a larger democratic movement in the coming days, including road blockades and gheraos of BJP MLAs in areas like Old Malda, Habibpur and Gazole.”
The district administration has acknowledged receiving the memorandum,
though no official response has yet been issued.