The ongoing dispute over the voter list in West Bengal was heard by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. During this session, CM Mamata Banerjee presented her case directly to the court. She stated that voter names are being removed from the list on a large scale. She even went as far as to call the Election Commission the ‘WhatsApp Commission’. Mamata Banerjee said, “The Election Commission... sorry, the WhatsApp Commission is doing all this. Names are being removed. Bengal is being deliberately targeted.”It's noteworthy that the next hearing on this matter is scheduled for February 9, Monday, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will attend.
What exactly did Mamata Banerjee say in the Supreme Court? Here are ten key points.
Targeting West Bengal: On Wednesday in the Supreme Court, Mamata Banerjee expressed that she has come to the court seeking justice. She alleged that she provided all the facts to the Election Commission, but they went unheard. During the hearing, Mamata Banerjee discussed changes in Tagore's spelling, emphasizing democracy and civil rights. She accused that right before the elections, West Bengal is being targeted, and voter names are being axed extensively.
Accusations Against the Election Commission: Mamata Banerjee claimed that in other states, the Election Commission accepts all documents, but in West Bengal's case, they get dismissed. She pointed out this happens during a time of festivals and harvest when many people are outside the state.
Calling the Election Commission the WhatsApp Commission:
Mamata Banerjee labeled the Election Commission as the ‘WhatsApp Commission’. She stated, 'The Election Commission... sorry, the WhatsApp Commission is doing all this. Names are being erased, and Bengal is deliberately being targeted.'
Lawyers Fight After:
An ECI lawyer stated that 'My instruction was that notices would not be issued for minor spelling errors.' To which the CJI responded that 'The state's executive head is present here today. Is it not possible for the state to provide Bengali language experts who can work with the committee to advise on local pronunciations and spellings?'
To this, Mamata Banerjee answered,
'I can clarify this since I am from the same state.'
The CJI said, 'There is no doubt that you are from there.' She then remarked, 'Thanks to the bench for allowing me to speak. The issue is that lawyers fight when everything has already concluded. When justice is not received, it cries behind closed doors. I wrote six letters to the Election Commission but didn't get a response for any.'
Categorized Herself as Bound:
Mamata Banerjee stated, 'I am not a special person. I am like a bonded laborer. I am not fighting for my party; I am a simple citizen.'
Deletion Process Only:
Mamata Banerjee pointed out, 'If allowed, I can show some pictures published in major Bengali newspapers. Their entire process is just deletion. A daughter who adopts her husband's surname post-marriage has her name removed as a ‘mismatch’. Those who change address for work are justified with ‘logical discrepancy’ and removed.'
'This is not a discrepancy, but discrepancy mapping. When this court’s orders allowed the acceptance of Aadhar cards, domicile certificates, and government housing cards, Bengal's people were happy. But on the election eve, only Bengal is being targeted.'
Why Suddenly:
'Why was everything suddenly rushed within four months after 24 years? The harvest season was ongoing, and it was festive time—when people were not in town, notices were issued.'
Removing Women's Names is Anti-Women:
Mamata Banerjee pointed out, 'They have stripped powers from ERO and AERO. 3,800 micro-observers have been appointed, mostly from BJP-governed states. These individuals are sitting in the EC office removing names. In the first phase, 5.8 million names were declared ‘dead’ and removed. So many women’s names were cut—it is anti-woman.'
Why Only Targeting Bengal:
The Solicitor General indicated ‘There is clear antagonism as claimed.’ Mamata Banerjee asked, 'Why was Bengal targeted? Why not Assam or the North-East? More than 150 people died.'
Save Democracy:
Mamata Banerjee pleaded, 'I humbly request—please save democracy.' When the CJI mentioned that 'A Jnanpith award-winning author also received a notice. New issues emerge in every state.' Mamata Banerjee reiterated, 'The Election Commission... sorry—the WhatsApp Commission is doing this. Names are being erased. Bengal is being targeted.'
