Constitution illustrator Nandalal Bose’s grandson dropped from Bengal voter list

Kolkata: The 88-year-old grandson of Nandalal Bose, the renowned illustrator of the Constitution of India, has expressed frustration over his and his wife's names being missing from the voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Bengal is among the 12 states and Union Territories undergoing the SIR process, which aims to update and verify the electoral rolls to ensure accurate voter information. On February 28, the Election Commission of India published the electoral roll showing over 61 lakh voter names deleted.

Suprabuddha Sen, the grandson of Nandalal Bose, and his wife, Deepa Sen, 82, told ETV Bharat that they will not be casting votes in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections due to their names being missing from the voter list, despite having submitted all required documents. Initially, Sen and his wife's names were placed under a "pending" status. They submitted documents during the hearing to the Election Commission, including certificates showing both had completed schooling in the state.

"First, a hearing was held during which I submitted all the necessary documents," Sen said. "After this, the (Election) commission officials visited our home, and I provided them with whatever information they requested. Yet, my wife's and my names have been excluded," Sen said. "We find no logic behind this decision," he added.

Suprabuddha Sen is the son of Jamuna Sen, Nandalal Bose's younger daughter. The couple resides in Santiniketan. Nandalal Bose is recognized in the field of modern Indian art as a pioneer. He, along with his team, illustrated the original manuscript of the Constitution. His illustrations in the Constitution depicted themes and scenes from Ramayana, the lives of Buddha and Mahavir, and the Vedic Asram. It has portraits of Akbar, Shivaji, Tipu Sultan, Rani Lakshmibai, Mahatma Gandhi, and Subhas Chandra Bose.

The SIR process, which began in January 2023, is being conducted to update the electoral rolls and remove obsolete entries. However, the case of Suprabuddha Sen and his wife highlights the challenges faced by voters whose names are inadvertently excluded from the updated lists. The Election Commission has been working to address such issues and has set up grievance redressal mechanisms for affected voters.

The exclusion of Nandalal Bose's grandson and his wife from the voter list has drawn attention to the importance of accurate and inclusive electoral processes. While the SIR initiative aims to improve the quality of electoral rolls, it is crucial to ensure that all eligible voters, including those with distinguished lineages, are able to exercise their right to vote without obstacles.

The Election Commission has been monitoring the SIR process closely and has assured that all grievances related to the exclusion of voters' names from the electoral rolls will be addressed promptly. The commission has also emphasized the need for voters to verify their names on the updated lists and take appropriate action if they find discrepancies.

In the meantime, Suprabuddha Sen and his wife have decided to take legal action to challenge their exclusion from the voter list. They are seeking justice to ensure their names are restored, allowing them to participate in the democratic process. The case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by voters during electoral updates and the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral system.

Nandalal Bose, whose illustrious career in art and his contribution to the Constitution of India are widely recognized, would have undoubtedly supported the importance of inclusive and transparent electoral processes. The exclusion of his grandson and his wife from the voter list has become a symbol of the need for vigilance and accountability in the electoral system to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote without hindrance.