Sonagachi Sex Workers Fear: In the heart of North Kolkata, where neon lights flicker above narrow lanes and conversations blend into the rhythm of survival, an unusual kind of anxiety is spreading. Hundreds of women working in Sonagachi, India’s largest red-light district, say they fear being left out of the latest voter roll update under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) 2025.
The concern stems from recent reports that many names from the locality are either missing or flagged for verification during the ongoing revision process by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
For the residents of Sonagachi, inclusion in the voter list is not just about elections — it is about recognition, rights, and identity in a society that often chooses to look away.
Sonagachi Sex Workers Fear: What Triggered the Concern
According to field reports and testimonies gathered by NGOs working in the area, the “special summary revision” — a nationwide electoral roll update drive — has created fresh apprehension among the local community of sex workers.
Many have claimed that their names, once registered, have been marked as “doubtful voters” or removed because of address mismatches, lack of documentation, or unverified identity proofs.
“We voted in the last election. We even showed our voter cards during health camps. Now, suddenly our names are not showing up,”
said Rekha (name changed), a sex worker who has lived in Sonagachi for over a decade.
“If we lose this, we lose our voice.”
External Reference: Election Commission of India – Special Summary Revision
Sonagachi: A Complex Urban Demographic
Sonagachi, located near Chitpur in North Kolkata, houses an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 sex workers, alongside thousands of dependents, small shopkeepers, and support workers.
It is not merely a red-light area but a dense socio-economic community with micro-economies, health initiatives, and local governance structures. The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) — a prominent collective of sex workers — has been vocal in ensuring civic rights, healthcare, and identity recognition for its members.
Yet, despite decades of advocacy, identity documentation remains a chronic challenge.
Why the Voter Roll Update Matters
Inclusion in the electoral roll ensures not just the right to vote but also access to government welfare schemes, including healthcare, rations, and housing programs.
For sex workers — often migrants without permanent proof of residence — this inclusion symbolizes state recognition of their citizenship.
External Reference: Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
Many women fear that if their names are dropped from the roll now, reinstating them could take months — effectively disenfranchising them before the next Lok Sabha election.
The Process and Pitfalls of the Special Summary Revision
The Special Summary Revision (SSR) allows eligible citizens to register, delete, or correct entries in the voter list annually.
However, officials often rely on door-to-door verification and residential proof, which becomes problematic in places like Sonagachi, where residents may not have tenancy papers or official address validation.
“Enumerators often ask for documents like rent receipts or utility bills, which most of our women don’t have because they live in shared or informal accommodations,”
explained Bharati Dey, secretary of the DMSC.
“Some are migrants from other states or Bangladesh. They live here for years but are denied recognition as residents.”
Fear of Social Stigma During Verification
Several sex workers reported that door-to-door verification teams hesitate to visit Sonagachi, citing safety and social discomfort.
As a result, whole clusters of addresses remain “unverified”, leading to mass deletion of names from the rolls.
“Our lanes are marked red-light, so some officials avoid coming,” said Lata, another resident. “We are treated as if our votes don’t count.”
Local NGOs have demanded gender-sensitive training for electoral officers, arguing that exclusion based on social stigma violates constitutional equality.
External Reference: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Ground Realities: Identity vs. Legitimacy
In Sonagachi, the boundary between resident and migrant, citizen and undocumented worker, often blurs. Many sex workers come from rural Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and even across the border from Bangladesh.
Those who have lived for years in Kolkata still struggle to get documents reflecting their current address. Without it, their names risk deletion.
“We have Aadhaar cards but not always with this address,” said Meena (name changed). “If we change it, we need a landlord’s signature — and most of them refuse because they don’t want to be linked with our profession.”
External Reference: UIDAI – Address Update Guidelines
DMSC’s Role and Appeal to Election Commission
The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee has submitted a written appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, demanding special verification camps within Sonagachi.
They have proposed on-site registration drives, allowing sex workers to self-declare their residence with NGO or peer verification, similar to methods used in refugee and migrant settlements.
“The Election Commission must adopt an inclusive verification model,” said Dr. Smarajit Jana, DMSC founder and public health expert.
“Citizenship cannot be tied to morality or permanent property ownership. Every adult woman here is an Indian citizen unless proven otherwise.”
The Legal and Constitutional Perspective
Under Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, every Indian citizen aged 18 or above has the right to vote.
However, procedural barriers — particularly residential proof requirements — have systematically excluded marginalized groups like migrant workers, homeless citizens, and sex workers.
Legal experts argue that the denial of voter registration due to address instability contradicts the spirit of universal adult franchise.
“The right to vote is fundamental to equality before law,” said Advocate Anindita Ghosh, a human rights lawyer in Kolkata.
“If the state can issue Aadhaar and PAN cards to individuals based on biometric identity, it cannot deny their right to vote on technical grounds.”
External Reference: Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 – India Code
Socio-Political Implications: Voice and Visibility
Historically, sex workers have been politically invisible, despite their large numbers and economic contribution.
Inclusion in the voter list offers not just a democratic right but a tool of empowerment — to demand better sanitation, healthcare, and protection from police harassment.
“Voting makes us citizens in our own eyes,” said Shampa, a peer educator with the DMSC. “It’s our way to say — we exist.”
Political analysts say such exclusions weaken democratic inclusivity and can distort local electoral representation in densely populated urban wards.
The Challenge of Data Mismatch
Another issue plaguing Sonagachi residents is data mismatch between Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration card records.
In many cases, slight spelling differences or incomplete addresses cause records to be flagged as invalid.
These technical errors disproportionately affect those who cannot read or access online correction portals.
External Reference: Voter Helpline App – Election Commission of India
Government Response: Officials Deny Intentional Exclusion
When contacted, a senior officer at the Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, said there is “no policy of discrimination.”
He added that special measures are being taken to include all eligible citizens.
“We are aware of the difficulties faced in certain areas like Sonagachi. Field verification will continue till November end, and all genuine voters will be reinstated,” the officer said.
Despite the assurance, local activists say implementation on the ground remains inconsistent.
Activism and Legal Mobilization
Several NGOs, including the DMSC, AIDWA, and Swayam, are planning to submit a joint memorandum to the Election Commission of India demanding inclusive voter verification in high-stigma areas.
They have also reached out to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for intervention under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
External Reference: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 – India Code
Past Instances of Exclusion
This is not the first time sex workers in Sonagachi have faced disenfranchisement.
In 2014, several names were dropped from rolls after an administrative reshuffle. It took nearly two years and multiple petitions for the women to get re-registered.
“It feels like we have to prove we are human every five years,” said Kajal, a senior member of the DMSC.
Expert Views: Towards Inclusive Citizenship
Public policy experts suggest the Election Commission should collaborate with community-based organizations to bridge the verification gap.
A hybrid model involving biometric data and community witness verification could ensure accuracy while upholding inclusion.
“When marginalized citizens are systematically left out, it questions the integrity of democracy itself,” said Dr. Abhirup Bhattacharya, a political sociologist at Jadavpur University.
External Reference: Jadavpur University – Department of Political Science
Digital Solutions and Future Outlook
The Election Commission’s new initiative, ‘One Nation, One Voter ID’, aims to link voter IDs with Aadhaar to eliminate duplication.
However, civil rights groups caution that without strong privacy safeguards and ground-level training, such integration could worsen exclusion for vulnerable communities.
“Technology cannot replace human sensitivity,” said Bharati Dey. “We need empathy in administration, not just apps.”
External Reference: UIDAI Aadhaar-Voter Link Guidelines
Community Mobilization: Awareness Drives in Sonagachi
Over the past month, peer educators and social workers have been conducting voter awareness drives in the narrow lanes of Sonagachi.
They help residents check their enrollment status on ECI portals and assist with form-filling.
The DMSC has even set up a “Voter Help Desk” at its central office, helping women submit Form 6 and Form 8 applications online.
“We don’t want sympathy; we want paperwork,” said Rupali, who coordinates the initiative. “Our names must stay on the list — because our lives are on it.”
Public Sentiment: Identity and Dignity
Beyond bureaucracy, the issue touches something deeper — the struggle for dignity.
For women who have long been stigmatized, holding a voter card means belonging to the democratic mainstream.
“We are citizens of India. If our votes are valid, our lives are valid too,” said Anita, a senior DMSC member.
Conclusion: Democracy Begins at the Margins
The unfolding story in Sonagachi is not just about paperwork; it is about India’s promise of equality.
As the special summary revision continues, the Election Commission faces a defining test — whether it can uphold the constitutional right to vote for even the most marginalized citizens.
Until every woman in Sonagachi finds her name on that list, the question remains:
Can democracy truly be inclusive if its most invisible citizens are left behind?
External References for Verification
- Election Commission of India – Official Website
- Ministry of Women & Child Development
- UIDAI – Aadhaar Update Portal
- National Human Rights Commission of India
Sonagachi Sex Workers Fear: In the heart of North Kolkata, where neon lights flicker above narrow lanes and conversations blend into the rhythm of survival, an unusual kind of anxiety is spreading. Hundreds of women working in Sonagachi, India’s largest red-light district, say they fear being left out of the latest voter roll update under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) 2025.
The concern stems from recent reports that many names from the locality are either missing or flagged for verification during the ongoing revision process by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
For the residents of Sonagachi, inclusion in the voter list is not just about elections — it is about recognition, rights, and identity in a society that often chooses to look away.
Sonagachi Sex Workers Fear: What Triggered the Concern
According to field reports and testimonies gathered by NGOs working in the area, the “special summary revision” — a nationwide electoral roll update drive — has created fresh apprehension among the local community of sex workers.
Many have claimed that their names, once registered, have been marked as “doubtful voters” or removed because of address mismatches, lack of documentation, or unverified identity proofs.
“We voted in the last election. We even showed our voter cards during health camps. Now, suddenly our names are not showing up,”
said Rekha (name changed), a sex worker who has lived in Sonagachi for over a decade.
“If we lose this, we lose our voice.”
External Reference: Election Commission of India – Special Summary Revision
Sonagachi: A Complex Urban Demographic
Sonagachi, located near Chitpur in North Kolkata, houses an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 sex workers, alongside thousands of dependents, small shopkeepers, and support workers.
It is not merely a red-light area but a dense socio-economic community with micro-economies, health initiatives, and local governance structures. The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC) — a prominent collective of sex workers — has been vocal in ensuring civic rights, healthcare, and identity recognition for its members.
Yet, despite decades of advocacy, identity documentation remains a chronic challenge.
Why the Voter Roll Update Matters
Inclusion in the electoral roll ensures not just the right to vote but also access to government welfare schemes, including healthcare, rations, and housing programs.
For sex workers — often migrants without permanent proof of residence — this inclusion symbolizes state recognition of their citizenship.
External Reference: Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
Many women fear that if their names are dropped from the roll now, reinstating them could take months — effectively disenfranchising them before the next Lok Sabha election.
The Process and Pitfalls of the Special Summary Revision
The Special Summary Revision (SSR) allows eligible citizens to register, delete, or correct entries in the voter list annually.
However, officials often rely on door-to-door verification and residential proof, which becomes problematic in places like Sonagachi, where residents may not have tenancy papers or official address validation.
“Enumerators often ask for documents like rent receipts or utility bills, which most of our women don’t have because they live in shared or informal accommodations,”
explained Bharati Dey, secretary of the DMSC.
“Some are migrants from other states or Bangladesh. They live here for years but are denied recognition as residents.”
Fear of Social Stigma During Verification
Several sex workers reported that door-to-door verification teams hesitate to visit Sonagachi, citing safety and social discomfort.
As a result, whole clusters of addresses remain “unverified”, leading to mass deletion of names from the rolls.
“Our lanes are marked red-light, so some officials avoid coming,” said Lata, another resident. “We are treated as if our votes don’t count.”
Local NGOs have demanded gender-sensitive training for electoral officers, arguing that exclusion based on social stigma violates constitutional equality.
External Reference: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Ground Realities: Identity vs. Legitimacy
In Sonagachi, the boundary between resident and migrant, citizen and undocumented worker, often blurs. Many sex workers come from rural Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and even across the border from Bangladesh.
Those who have lived for years in Kolkata still struggle to get documents reflecting their current address. Without it, their names risk deletion.
“We have Aadhaar cards but not always with this address,” said Meena (name changed). “If we change it, we need a landlord’s signature — and most of them refuse because they don’t want to be linked with our profession.”
External Reference: UIDAI – Address Update Guidelines
DMSC’s Role and Appeal to Election Commission
The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee has submitted a written appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, demanding special verification camps within Sonagachi.
They have proposed on-site registration drives, allowing sex workers to self-declare their residence with NGO or peer verification, similar to methods used in refugee and migrant settlements.
“The Election Commission must adopt an inclusive verification model,” said Dr. Smarajit Jana, DMSC founder and public health expert.
“Citizenship cannot be tied to morality or permanent property ownership. Every adult woman here is an Indian citizen unless proven otherwise.”
The Legal and Constitutional Perspective
Under Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, every Indian citizen aged 18 or above has the right to vote.
However, procedural barriers — particularly residential proof requirements — have systematically excluded marginalized groups like migrant workers, homeless citizens, and sex workers.
Legal experts argue that the denial of voter registration due to address instability contradicts the spirit of universal adult franchise.
“The right to vote is fundamental to equality before law,” said Advocate Anindita Ghosh, a human rights lawyer in Kolkata.
“If the state can issue Aadhaar and PAN cards to individuals based on biometric identity, it cannot deny their right to vote on technical grounds.”
External Reference: Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 – India Code
Socio-Political Implications: Voice and Visibility
Historically, sex workers have been politically invisible, despite their large numbers and economic contribution.
Inclusion in the voter list offers not just a democratic right but a tool of empowerment — to demand better sanitation, healthcare, and protection from police harassment.
“Voting makes us citizens in our own eyes,” said Shampa, a peer educator with the DMSC. “It’s our way to say — we exist.”
Political analysts say such exclusions weaken democratic inclusivity and can distort local electoral representation in densely populated urban wards.
The Challenge of Data Mismatch
Another issue plaguing Sonagachi residents is data mismatch between Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration card records.
In many cases, slight spelling differences or incomplete addresses cause records to be flagged as invalid.
These technical errors disproportionately affect those who cannot read or access online correction portals.
External Reference: Voter Helpline App – Election Commission of India
Government Response: Officials Deny Intentional Exclusion
When contacted, a senior officer at the Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, said there is “no policy of discrimination.”
He added that special measures are being taken to include all eligible citizens.
“We are aware of the difficulties faced in certain areas like Sonagachi. Field verification will continue till November end, and all genuine voters will be reinstated,” the officer said.
Despite the assurance, local activists say implementation on the ground remains inconsistent.
Activism and Legal Mobilization
Several NGOs, including the DMSC, AIDWA, and Swayam, are planning to submit a joint memorandum to the Election Commission of India demanding inclusive voter verification in high-stigma areas.
They have also reached out to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for intervention under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
External Reference: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 – India Code
Past Instances of Exclusion
This is not the first time sex workers in Sonagachi have faced disenfranchisement.
In 2014, several names were dropped from rolls after an administrative reshuffle. It took nearly two years and multiple petitions for the women to get re-registered.
“It feels like we have to prove we are human every five years,” said Kajal, a senior member of the DMSC.
Expert Views: Towards Inclusive Citizenship
Public policy experts suggest the Election Commission should collaborate with community-based organizations to bridge the verification gap.
A hybrid model involving biometric data and community witness verification could ensure accuracy while upholding inclusion.
“When marginalized citizens are systematically left out, it questions the integrity of democracy itself,” said Dr. Abhirup Bhattacharya, a political sociologist at Jadavpur University.
External Reference: Jadavpur University – Department of Political Science
Digital Solutions and Future Outlook
The Election Commission’s new initiative, ‘One Nation, One Voter ID’, aims to link voter IDs with Aadhaar to eliminate duplication.
However, civil rights groups caution that without strong privacy safeguards and ground-level training, such integration could worsen exclusion for vulnerable communities.
“Technology cannot replace human sensitivity,” said Bharati Dey. “We need empathy in administration, not just apps.”
External Reference: UIDAI Aadhaar-Voter Link Guidelines
Community Mobilization: Awareness Drives in Sonagachi
Over the past month, peer educators and social workers have been conducting voter awareness drives in the narrow lanes of Sonagachi.
They help residents check their enrollment status on ECI portals and assist with form-filling.
The DMSC has even set up a “Voter Help Desk” at its central office, helping women submit Form 6 and Form 8 applications online.
“We don’t want sympathy; we want paperwork,” said Rupali, who coordinates the initiative. “Our names must stay on the list — because our lives are on it.”
Public Sentiment: Identity and Dignity
Beyond bureaucracy, the issue touches something deeper — the struggle for dignity.
For women who have long been stigmatized, holding a voter card means belonging to the democratic mainstream.
“We are citizens of India. If our votes are valid, our lives are valid too,” said Anita, a senior DMSC member.
Conclusion: Democracy Begins at the Margins
The unfolding story in Sonagachi is not just about paperwork; it is about India’s promise of equality.
As the special summary revision continues, the Election Commission faces a defining test — whether it can uphold the constitutional right to vote for even the most marginalized citizens.
Until every woman in Sonagachi finds her name on that list, the question remains:
Can democracy truly be inclusive if its most invisible citizens are left behind?
External References for Verification
- Election Commission of India – Official Website
- Ministry of Women & Child Development
- UIDAI – Aadhaar Update Portal
- National Human Rights Commission of India
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
