Around 346 people in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district -- many claiming descent from Mir Jafar, the controversial 18th-century ruler of Bengal -- have been removed from electoral rolls during a recent revision, raising concerns over disenfranchisement ahead of upcoming polls.
The affected individuals were previously registered at a polling booth at Lalbagh Nav Adarsh High School, Times of India reported.
During a special revision, their names were marked “under adjudication” and later deleted, officials said.
Among those struck off is 82-year-old Syed Reza Ali Meerza, locally known as “Chhote Nawab.”
His name, along with those of nine family members -- including his son, a Trinamool councillor -- was removed despite earlier assurances from election officials.
Meerza, who identifies himself as a 15th-generation descendant of Mir Jafar, lives near Killa Nizamat in Lalbagh, an area historically associated with the Nawabs of Bengal.
He said their Indian identity is well established and should not be subject to dispute.
Legacy of betrayal
Mir Jafar remains one of the most controversial figures in Bengal’s history.
As the commander of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah’s army, he is widely known for defecting during the Battle of Plassey in 1757, aiding the British East India Company’s victory.
That turning point led to the beginning of British colonial rule in Bengal and, eventually, across much of the Indian subcontinent.
His name has since become synonymous with betrayal in South Asian political discourse.
However, his descendants argue that historical legacy should not influence questions of citizenship or electoral rights.
Family members also cited historical narratives to assert their Indian identity, including claims that an ancestor chose to remain in India during Partition and helped ensure Murshidabad stayed within Indian territory.
Race against time before polls
Those affected can challenge the deletions before electoral tribunals, but there are concerns that the process may not conclude before the first phase of polling on April 23.
Residents fear that delays could effectively prevent them from voting in the upcoming election.
Murshidabad District Magistrate R Arjun said no formal complaints of widespread deletion have been received so far.
He added that authorities would guide affected individuals on how to approach tribunals if complaints are filed.