Ex-diplomat Navdeep Suri flags 'trouble establishing citizenship' during Punjab SIR

NEW DELHI: Former diplomat Navdeep Suri on Sunday said he was facing “trouble establishing his citizenship” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Punjab, despite having represented India in three countries.In a post on X, Suri shared his experience with the voter roll revision and said he was asked to provide “unspecified documents” to establish that he was an Indian citizen.”Sharing my experience with #SIR in Punjab. Went to BLO, submitted Voter ID and Aadhaar card, was assured that everything is in order. Got a message today from a volunteer saying some details don’t match with SIR in 2003!” Suri said.He said that after speaking to the booth-level officer (BLO), he was asked to collect a notice and return with documents proving his citizenship.”Spoke with BLO, was told that I should come and collect the notice. And then come again with unspecified documents that show I am an Indian citizen. Replied that I was not in India in 2003, so they’ve asked for passport as proof,” he added.Suri said he had documents apart from his voter ID and Aadhaar, but questioned what the process would mean for ordinary citizens.”I happen to have documents other than voter ID and Aadhaar card. But can’t help asking: If I have trouble establishing my citizenship after representing India in three countries, what’s the fate of the common citizen? Ease of Living, I presume!” he said.Former ambassador Navdeep Sur has served as India’s high commissioner to Australia and ambassador to UAE and Egypt.The SIR was first launched in Bihar in June 2025. Following the exercise, more than 60 lakh names, including those of deceased voters, were removed from the electoral rolls. In West Bengal, around 90 lakh voters were deleted from the rolls ahead of the assembly elections.Under the SIR process, voters who were not included in the 2002 or 2003 electoral rolls are required to submit documents linking them to people included in those legacy rolls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had initially listed 11 acceptable documents, excluding Aadhaar.

Following proceedings in the Supreme Court, the poll panel expanded the list to include Aadhaar as an acceptable document.The Supreme Court has also made observations on the broader constitutional implications of the exercise, stressing that while the ECI has the power to revise electoral rolls, those powers cannot be “untrammelled” and must comply with principles of transparency and natural justice.