The last letter of Rinku Tarafdar

Nothing compares to the case of 53-year-old Rinku Tarafdar, who was found hanging on November 22, leaving behind a two-page suicide note in Bengali, holding the Election Commission responsible for her death. 

By Nargis Natarajan

Of late we are witnessing a new kind of human sacrifice. Even though it has sparked significant controversy, many are still unaware of it. Perhaps the media has better things to concentrate on.

Or, maybe, because this sacrifice has nothing to do with tradition, rituals or religion. But yes, it has everything to do with elections. It is called Special Intense Revision (SIR). And, unfortunately, the latest victims are the BLOs. 

SIR has clearly imposed a tyrannical order on all its hapless BLOs (Booth Level Officers), who are basically government employees, school teachers, etc, slapping them with an unrealistic and impossible deadlines that includes a ‘disproportionate and unbearable’ workload. Tragically, in three weeks, 16 BLOs have already lost their lives due to suicide, heart attacks, exhaustion and stress.

Those who have escaped death are mentally overburdened, and under severe stress. One teacher resigned complaining that it was impossible to retain her job as a government school teacher, while also overseeing verification of 1,179 voters in a residential colony that was 10 km away. 

Over 60 BLOs and seven supervisors have received FIRs for alleged negligence and non-compliance. Some are being suspended for alleged lapses, some have been booked following complaints and some are threatened with suspension. Not to forget the relentless pressure from the Tehsildars, the DMs and SDMs who constantly keep asking for updates.

Some have stated that they are called for meetings until late at night, forcing them to neglect their family and basic needs. A government school principal expressed the workload as more work in less time. One man, due to provocation from a relative and work pressure, reportedly, publicly stripped naked while filling out voter enumeration forms.  

Since not every BLO is tech savvy, many are absolutely clueless about the digital formats. Some family members say that rather than admit their ignorance, they are going into depression.

Due to the massive and unprecedented demand with everyone trying to upload data at the same time, the app also keeps crashing.

However, nothing compares to the tragic case of Rinku Tarafdar, in her early 50s, who was found hanging on November 22, 2025, leaving behind a two-page suicide note in Bengali, holding the Election Commission responsible for her death. 

“The Election Commission is responsible for my death. I have never been involved in politics. My family is financially stable. But I cannot bear the inhuman pressure for such a minor job. I am mentally shattered,” she has written in her suicide note.

“I cannot handle this inhuman workload… I have completed 95 per cent of the offline work, but I do not know anything about the online work... I have to be ready at all times, and everything must be submitted on time. Nothing will be forgiven. All government documents of the school are in order. My children should be able to live properly. That is my final wish. Truly, my conscience is exhausted. I cannot bear it.”

Her husband, Ashis, found her hanging from the ceiling fan at their home in Sashthitala, Krishnanagar, district Nadia in West Bengal. Ashis alleged it was “murder by the EC”. “My wife was under immense pressure because of the heavy workload and became depressed because she could not manage the online work as she was not tech-savvy,” he said. “She feared punishment for the delay. She repeatedly asked for help with her online tasks and even submitted a written appeal to the district administration. But the officer refused to accept the application and rebuked her for lacking computer skills…. They literally killed her.” Her sister-in-law, Sadhana, said that Rinku was depressed and had stopped eating food.

Yesterday we celebrated the ‘Constitution Day’. Every politician went gaga over the written document that establishes the framework for the government, outlining its powers and duties, and the fundamental rights of citizens. Every citizen has been enamoured by the Bill of Rights that guarantees our fundamental principles and duties.

However, there is just one question we need to ask. This human sacrifice for the nation -- how many more lives will SIR take?