Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the SIR exercise and raised concerns about voter exclusions, alleging that the process could adversely affect vulnerable sections of society.
In a post on X, Owaisi claimed authorities removed nearly 6.5 crore names from electoral rolls across 13 states and Union Territories.
He alleged that officials carried out the exercise through a document-based verification process.
Owaisi also claimed that the Union government planned to set up a committee to examine those exclusions. According to him, the proposed mechanism would identify, detain and deport illegal immigrants.
SIR exercise and citizenship concerns
The AIMIM chief argued that the SIR exercise could leave many eligible citizens outside the electoral process.
He described voting as the most effective democratic tool available to economically weaker sections.
Owaisi said removal from electoral rolls did not automatically determine a person’s citizenship status.
He pointed out that millions of cases remained under adjudication. He also noted that affected individuals could apply again through Form 6.
According to Owaisi, available data suggested that many excluded individuals belonged to Muslim communities, women, migrant groups and poorer sections of society.
The Hyderabad MP also questioned the need for a separate committee on illegal immigrants.
He cited official demographic data and said population growth indicators had stabilised.
Owaisi further accused the government of imposing excessive documentation requirements on citizens.
He argued that ordinary people faced increasing scrutiny, while governments escaped similar levels of accountability.
The AIMIM chief maintained that the SIR exercise should not deny eligible citizens access to the electoral process and democratic rights.
The Union Government first carried out a document-driven SIR that deleted nearly 6.5 crore names from electoral rolls across 13 States and UTs. Now it wants a committee to study those very exclusions and build a permanent system for the identification, detention, and deportation…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 3, 2026