Hyderabad wedding turns unlikely stage for SIR protest
A former GHMC ward member in Hyderabad protested against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by performing a protest song at a wedding. He claims the revision process has unfairly led to the deletion of many legitimate voters' names across various communities.
Why it matters
It highlights growing public frustration and political activism regarding the transparency and accuracy of electoral roll management in India.
The anger over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls found an unusual outlet at a wedding in Hyderabad’s Chandrayangutta area on October 10. Talha Kaseri, a former GHMC ward member representing the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), turned his protest into a song at his cousin’s wedding, with a marfa band providing the rhythm.
“SIR ko barkhast karo. Gyanesh Kumar murdabad (Scrap the SIR; down with Gyanesh Kumar),” he sang, weaving slogans against the electoral roll revision and the Chief Election Commissioner into the wedding performance.
“Nobody has been spared the havoc caused by SIR. It has cut across communities, with Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians bearing the brunt of the Election Commission of India’s actions. While my name remains on the electoral roll, countless others in my area have seen their names deleted,” Mr. Talha said.
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