GUWAHATI: The tag of 'D' or unsure voter, besides depriving an individual of his balloting rights, too can subject him to humiliation in social circles, says Md Nurul Islam, a instructor at a central authority faculty in Assam's Barpeta district. Islam says he has waged a lonely fight, combating social stigma and ostracism, ever since he was tagged a 'D' voter in 1997.
In a twist of fate, Islam is lately engaged as an investigating officer concerned in the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. But there may be nothing he can do to clear the 'D' voter's tag, the weight of which he has been bearing like an albatross around his neck for 21 years.
"You cannot imagine the kind of mental torture and shame I am subjected to in social circles for being a 'D' voter. Sometimes the reactions I get are torturous and disgraceful. Two decades of carrying the tag invites the worst form of social ostracism," Islam, a postgraduate instructor at the Paschim Moinbari Higher Secondary School in Kalgachia space of the district, mentioned.
To add to his tale of woes, Islam is not positive why he was tagged a 'D' voter in the first place. Islam mentioned the identify of his father, Abul Hussain, was included in the electoral rolls of 1966 and 1970 besides his NRC legacy knowledge being to be had. Islam's identify additionally was included in the electorate' record of 1997 and he had a serial collection of 719. However later that yr, he was tagged as a 'D' voter.
Islam's case is not distinctive by any means. Ever since the Election Commission of India in 1997 introduced the observe of tagging folks as 'D' voter in the electoral rolls if their citizenship claims are considered to be unsure, the circumstances of a minimum of 2,44,144 'D' electorate have been referred to the foreigners' tribunals. Among these, 60,000 were found to be genuine Indian electorate whilst 1,25,333 circumstances are nonetheless pending.
Social activists claim that the 'D' electorate' tag is slapped on folks in an arbitrary way and in many of the circumstances, these individuals are later found to be genuine Indian electorate.
Former legislator and SUCI leader Dewan Joynal Abedin mentioned, "When people are tagged 'D' voters, they are deprived of their civil and political rights even as they suffer from the worst kind of social ostracism. Even their children and other family members are seen with an eye of suspicion in social circles."
Abedin additionally pointed out that after the observe of tagging folks as 'D' electorate was introduced in 1997, it was first of all decided that every one circumstances can be settled inside six months. But that has rarely took place and a large number of circumstances - like that of Islam - have dragged on for 21 years.
In a twist of fate, Islam is lately engaged as an investigating officer concerned in the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. But there may be nothing he can do to clear the 'D' voter's tag, the weight of which he has been bearing like an albatross around his neck for 21 years.
"You cannot imagine the kind of mental torture and shame I am subjected to in social circles for being a 'D' voter. Sometimes the reactions I get are torturous and disgraceful. Two decades of carrying the tag invites the worst form of social ostracism," Islam, a postgraduate instructor at the Paschim Moinbari Higher Secondary School in Kalgachia space of the district, mentioned.
To add to his tale of woes, Islam is not positive why he was tagged a 'D' voter in the first place. Islam mentioned the identify of his father, Abul Hussain, was included in the electoral rolls of 1966 and 1970 besides his NRC legacy knowledge being to be had. Islam's identify additionally was included in the electorate' record of 1997 and he had a serial collection of 719. However later that yr, he was tagged as a 'D' voter.
Islam's case is not distinctive by any means. Ever since the Election Commission of India in 1997 introduced the observe of tagging folks as 'D' voter in the electoral rolls if their citizenship claims are considered to be unsure, the circumstances of a minimum of 2,44,144 'D' electorate have been referred to the foreigners' tribunals. Among these, 60,000 were found to be genuine Indian electorate whilst 1,25,333 circumstances are nonetheless pending.
Social activists claim that the 'D' electorate' tag is slapped on folks in an arbitrary way and in many of the circumstances, these individuals are later found to be genuine Indian electorate.
Former legislator and SUCI leader Dewan Joynal Abedin mentioned, "When people are tagged 'D' voters, they are deprived of their civil and political rights even as they suffer from the worst kind of social ostracism. Even their children and other family members are seen with an eye of suspicion in social circles."
Abedin additionally pointed out that after the observe of tagging folks as 'D' electorate was introduced in 1997, it was first of all decided that every one circumstances can be settled inside six months. But that has rarely took place and a large number of circumstances - like that of Islam - have dragged on for 21 years.
'D' voter's tag invites the worst kind of social stigma: Teacher
!['D' voter's tag invites the worst kind of social stigma: Teacher]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
July 16, 2018
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