Paper trails, lost salaries: Stories of struggle, success in Bihar SIR drive

HT attempts to sketch the contours of the SIR exercise, shaped by identities, differing access to government services, migration and socioeconomic status.

The first phase of the controversial special intensive revision (SIR) in Bihar excised 6.56 million names from the state’s voter rolls. The exclusions have generated a political firestorm and reverberated in Parliament and the Supreme Court. But another key facet are the 72.4 million people who managed to fill their forms. Across five districts, HT attempts to sketch the contours of the exercise, shaped by identities, differing access to government services, migration and socioeconomic status.

A painter paints a wall to create awareness among voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 at the state election department premises. (ANI)

A flight of three steep