NEW DELHI — Muslims across several states have expressed anguish after discovering that their names have disappeared from electoral rolls, with complaints emerging from Assam to Uttar Pradesh. Community groups allege that the deletions are selective, rushed and politically motivated, leaving many lawful voters feeling insecure and fearful of losing their fundamental democratic right.
In Uttar Pradesh, protests erupted in Etawah after residents of Muslim-majority areas reported large-scale deletions during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. On Thursday, members of the Muslim community gathered outside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, led by Sunnat Jamaat Etawah president Shahzad Ashgan. A memorandum was submitted to the Election and Registration Officer, SDM Hemant Kumar Ghanghor, seeking urgent relief.
The memorandum alleged that names were removed on the basis of complaints without any field verification. It demanded action against those filing such complaints and called for a clear directive that no voter’s name be deleted without proper inquiry. Protesters also sought the immediate restoration of names already removed.
Shahzad Ashgan said the pattern was alarming. “In Muslim-majority areas, names are being cut due to political rivalry. This is unfair and dangerous for democracy,” he said. He added that in Barod alone, the names of 171 Muslim voters were deleted, triggering anger and fear among families who have voted for years.
In Assam, the issue has raised even sharper concern. The state is not conducting a Special Intensive Revision, citing the earlier National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise. Instead, names are being removed through SR objection notices. Muslim groups allege these notices are being issued widely and without transparency.
Ittihad Front chief Noorul Islam described the process as deeply flawed. “SR objection notices are being sent to Muslim households, and names are deleted on that basis. In some cases, living people are being shown as dead,” he said. He demanded direct monitoring by the Election Commission and warned of legal action. “If this is not stopped, we will take those responsible to court,” he said.
The North East Minority Student Union also voiced strong protest. Its president, Badrul Islam, said Muslims in Assam were under sustained pressure. “Assam has become a living hell for Muslims. Bulldozers, pushbacks, and now SR notices are being used against us,” he said. “This must stop, or we will launch strong protests.”
Community members in Assam alleged that objections are being filed under unknown names and that listed objectors cannot be traced during hearings, leaving affected voters helpless while deletions continue.
Across both states, Muslim leaders are urging election authorities to halt the exercise, restore names removed without due verification, and establish strict safeguards to protect lawful voters. Many warn that public trust in the electoral system will erode if grievances are not addressed swiftly and fairly.
