Muslim infiltrators hiding beneath Hindu names to escape SIR
By Raktim Das
“Used to be a handkerchief, now it’s a cat!” — who knew the famous line from Sukumar Ray’s poem would come true in this manner? Ever since news spread that SIR would be implemented in Bengal, allegations began surfacing that Bangladeshi infiltrators, fearing removal from the electoral rolls, were changing their religious identity. Now that allegation appears to have some truth, as revealed through multiple advertisements published in the name–surname change section of a Bengali newspaper.
According to those advertisements, several members of one Muslim family have changed their surnames and adopted Hindu surnames, which has triggered major controversy. Can someone legally change their religious identity merely through a declaration in court? That question is now being raised. Lawyers and Hindu religious leaders claim this is an anti-national conspiracy aimed at granting illegal citizens a path to legitimacy.
On 10 November, one of the classified advertisements published in the newspaper showed that Sekh Nishani, husband of Sekh Sukumar, residents of Senhati Rajhati Bandar, Khanakul, Arambagh, Hooghly district, executed an affidavit on 4 June before the Arambagh Notary Public (affidavit number 1880), adopting the Hindu surname Patra. Another advertisement showed that Sekh Mina, wife of Badel, with affidavit number 1876 executed on the same date, also became Mina Patra.
Illegal Muslim infiltrators in India are hiding beneath Hindu names
A third advertisement showed that Sekh Sukumar, son of Sekh Badel; daughter Sekh Sumana; and son Sekh Soman, executed affidavits the same day, adopting the surname Patra, with affidavit numbers 1877, 1878, 1879 respectively. Another advertisement from that same day showed that Sekh Badel, son of Alauddin Sekh, executed an affidavit and became Badel Patra, affidavit number 1875.
Given that the names and addresses match, it is clear that they all belong to the same family. Although all of them have Bengali first names, the eldest member, Badel Sekh’s father’s name is distinctly Arabic. Yet none of these advertisements mention religious conversion. Only a Hindu surname has been adopted.
Why did they do this? And why were affidavits made in June but published five months later in November, just when SIR has begun across the state? These are the questions now arising.
The Election Commission has clarified that those whose names are missing from the 2002 list will be able to enroll by providing 11 specific documents. The principal opposition party, the BJP, claims that only Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas who illegally entered India and illegally secured their names on the voters’ list will be removed, since they do not possess those documents.
On the other hand, Hindu refugees who fled persecution in Bangladesh and whose names were not in the 2002 list will be able to apply using CAA documents. Once they obtain citizenship, they will face no obstacle in being added to the voters’ list.
This raises the question: Is this why infiltrators are now attempting to use Hindu identity as a shield? According to Jaideep Mukhopadhyay, Supreme Court lawyer and general secretary of the All India Legal Aid Forum, this is a serious criminal offence. He said: “I have seen the advertisement. How is this even possible? A Muslim cannot become a Hindu through such a notary affidavit. This is completely illegal. Because of SIR, Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas will be identified. Their names will be removed from the voters’ list.
They illegally entered India and illegally registered themselves as voters. Now they realize they’ve been caught, which is why many are fleeing back to Bangladesh. That is why so many are being detained by the BSF every day at the border.
A large number of them are deceitfully adopting Hindu names through notary affidavits. But you cannot become a Hindu merely by taking a Hindu name or surname. This is entirely unlawful.
The notaries or lawyers involved should be investigated, and their licences cancelled. We will approach the High Court to ensure this. We will also inform the Election Commission. Such anti-national activities cannot be allowed.”
Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti’s West Bengal general secretary Shrimat Brahmavidyananda Brahmachariji Maharaj also strongly asserted that no one can become a Hindu this way. He stated:
Recently we have seen several illegal infiltrators in West Bengal hiding their Muslim identity, executing affidavits in court to change their names and religious identity. Multiple such suspicious declarations were published yesterday in the name–surname change section of a newspaper.
This is not merely misuse of legal procedure; it is a matter of grave concern for national security and social stability. India is a sacred land where everyone has the freedom to practice their faith, but concealing nationality or citizenship and taking a false identity is a deep crime.
I appeal to the administration and judiciary to strictly verify the citizenship, birthplace, and identity of those applying for name changes. Otherwise infiltrators will blend into society in disguise, posing a dangerous threat to the nation’s stability and security.
In a country like India, such deceptive practices cannot be allowed.
Now the question arises: This particular advertisement came to light because it was published in a well-known Kolkata daily. But are similar advertisements being published in obscure or little-known newspapers earlier or later to help infiltrators secure their names in the voters’ list?
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