Asaduddin Owaisi Expresses Concern Over Implication of SIR

Hyderabad: Expressing concern over the implications of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said that if a person’s name is omitted during the exercise, it is not just a matter of losing the ‘right to vote’ but questions may also arise regarding the ‘citizenship status’ of that person.

Owaisi was addressing a meeting of religious leaders and community elders in Nampally on Thursday, aimed at encouraging greater public participation in the voter verification process.

The MIM chief, who launched a ‘paid daura’ in the party’s strongholds to encourage voters to register, noted that the aim of the aid was not to scare people but to create awareness and ensure that citizens were adequately prepared for the exercise.

He said the names of more than 6.5 crore people were excluded during SIR in many states. Questioning the seriousness of the issue, Owaisi stated that this is an issue that could have far-reaching consequences for millions of citizens. “Why do voters have to pay the price for the Electoral Commission’s mistakes in failing to compile the 2002 voter list?” he asked.

Owaisi appealed to the Election Commission of India to consider PAN card, ration card and driving license in the registration process as permanent residence certificate, National Register of Citizens and family registration services are not provided in Telangana unlike some states.

The Hyderabad MP disputed the allegations on the issue of infiltration and noted that only a handful of foreigners identified in Bihar, where ‘infiltration’ was reported, were Muslims. He also questioned the basis for labeling them as ‘infiltrators’, stating that 27 lakh voters in West Bengal have been subjected to courts or deleted from the rolls.

The AIMIM chief also questioned the rejection of Rajya Sabha nomination papers of AICC Telangana incharge Meenakshi Natarajan.