‘Not aware of parents’ names’, 30% Sonagachhi residents skip SIR forms
Times of India | 10 December 2025
Kolkata: Hundreds of sex workers at Sonagachhi, one of the oldest and largest red-light areas of the subcontinent, converged on the EC camps on Tuesday morning, seeking help to secure their identities and citizenship.
Unaware of their family lineage, 3,500 out of the 11,400 voters from the area have not filled their SIR forms. Many do not even have voters' ID cards as they never thought casting votes was an option for them, that it was their democratic right, too. "I don't have any ID card, not even a voter's ID card. I never needed one. For me, the only thing matters is making a living for my children," said a sex worker in her 40s.
The EC set up three camps at Kadamtala Milan Sangha, the Abinash Kabiraj Street-Durga Charan Mitra Street crossing, and Ghare Baire Community Hall in Sonagachhi, covering wards 18 and 26. CEO Manoj Agarwal allayed Sonagachhi residents' fears, assuring them of every help to get their voters' ID cards issued. "No marginalised voter should be left out. We are reaching out to solve the issues," he said, adding in the absence of an age-proof document, they would be given other options, under the special power of commission.
Rina Mandal (50) does not have a voter's ID card any more but her name did appear on the 2002 SIR list. "My former landlord deliberately cancelled my voter card, saying I had shifted but it was not true. I have filled the SIR form but I don't have a voter's card right now. I need a fresh one," Mandal, a resident of Gour Sankar Lane, told EC officials.
Samim Begum does not remember her parents' names or birth place. "This is my only address. Where will I go if I am asked to leave? Will I be able to apply for a fresh card?" she said. Sahinur Begum, another sex worker, has got her Aadhaar and voter cards only recently. "I have submitted my SIR form but I am worried if it is rejected," she said.
CEO Agarwal added they would also reach out to old-age homes and orphanages.