Those hit by SIR deletions may see their other rights diluted: Prashant Bhushan

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan expressed alarm over large-scale deletion of names under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, saying those affected by it may see their "other rights diluted or withdrawn".

Backing his apprehensions expressed at a press conference here on Sunday (April 12, 2026), political activist Yogendra Yadav warned that the removal of the names of lakhs of voters through the SIR exercise may extend beyond electoral disenfranchisement and impact other identity-linked rights.

Consolidated voters’ list of 9 States and 3 UTs that underwent SIR Phase II trimmed by 10.2%

Those excluded from electoral rolls could be the first to face scrutiny in other identification systems, he claimed.

"Today, it is the voters' list. Tomorrow, questions may be raised about the authenticity of identity documents like Aadhaar. Those already struck off the rolls could be the earliest to be affected," Mr. Yadav said.