A voter since Independence, Bengal 104-year-old man under judicial lens

JAMALPUR (EAST BURDWAN): "Is it a crime to live beyond 100 years?" shot back Sk Ibrahim, after learning that his name has been placed in the "under adjudication" category on Bengal's final voters' list, published on Feb 28.

The 104-year-old resident of Majh Para in East Burdwan's Jamalpur block has reasons to be angry. He has voted in every election since Independence, but the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll now threatens to take away his voting right.




Family members said Ibrahim was issued a notice due to a "discrepancy" in his name - he was Sk Ibrahim on the 2002 voters' list, but Ibrahim Sk on the 2025 roll. He was asked to appear for a hearing, but the centenarian could not visit the designated centre with documents because of his age and restricted mobility. A joint electoral registration officer visited his home to conduct the hearing, but that did not help resolve the discrepancy.

Ibrahim's fate as voter now hinges on the outcome of the scrutiny of his documents by a judicial officer. Speaking to TOI in the single-storey house of his son Amjad, Ibrahim said, "EC officials called on me and spoke with my family members. They verified all documents, but my name is still under adjudication. It is very disappointing, especially after voting in every election."

Memories of Gandhi still light up Ibrahim's eyes

Jamalpur BDO Partha Sarathi Dey said, "The administration is reviewing the matter." Ibrahim has six children, who are all neighbours at Majh Para village. He takes turns staying with each of them.

Ibrahim's eyes brighten up as he speaks animatedly about Mahatma Gandhi's "karenge ya marenge (Do or die)" slogan during the 1942 Quit India movement. He keeps history alive through vivid recollections of some of the most defining moments witnessed by the nation. Even at 104, he retains a sharp memory and can recall the exact dates of many events in his life.

He said he worked at a bedding shop near the Jorasanko Thakurbari in Kolkata in the Bengali year 1342 (1935-36) and witnessed many events linked to the freedom movement during that period.

"As a boy, I saw the Howrah bridge come up (the construction continued from 1936 to 1942). There used to be a pontoon bridge earlier. Independence came a few years later. I have seen lots of ups and downs, including the Partition, famine, riots, and war."