Editorial Snapshot: 04-July-2025
Careful curation: On Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
The Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has drawn criticism due to its short timeline, strict verification norms, and potential to wrongfully exclude lakhs of voters, particularly migrants who make up around 20% of the state’s electorate. The stipulation that only “ordinary residents” can be included has raised concerns, as many migrant voters may be absent during the verification window ending July 31. Although the Representation of the People Act, 1950 protects the status of temporary absentees, the challenge lies in distinguishing them from long-term migrants. Bihar’s 2024 election data revealed more women voting than men despite a higher number of male voters on rolls, likely due to male migration. The SIR must accurately differentiate between short- and long-term migrants, removing only the latter, and ideally allow them to register in their current place of residence for better political representation. The current one-month timeline appears insufficient to achieve this balance.
Murder most foul: On custodial torture and deaths
Despite the Supreme Court’s strong condemnation of custodial torture as a heinous crime, incidents of police brutality persist, as highlighted by the recent custodial death of Ajith Kumar in Tamil Nadu. Detained without a formal complaint or FIR, Ajith was tortured by plainclothes policemen under a Deputy Superintendent’s direction and later died, with the alleged theft still unproven. The incident reveals the deeply rooted authoritarian mindset and impunity within the police force, particularly against individuals from oppressed communities. Public protests and political outrage prevented a cover-up. In response, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin suspended and arrested the involved officers, transferred the case to the CBI, and offered compensation to the victim’s family. However, while these steps were swift—especially with elections approaching—they are not enough. The Madras High Court emphasized the need for accountability, including action against senior officers if implicated, and a fast-track trial. Systemic reform is essential to prevent such state-led violence and restore public faith in law enforcement.
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