Ninety-year-old Rani Kar walked out of her Raiganj home and joined a human chain with hundreds of others on Friday, demanding free, fair and safe elections.
The nonagenarian, who is the widow of Jatindranath Kar, one of the prominent freedom fighters of North Dinajpur, has also written to the district administration seeking security for voters in the April 18 polls for the Raiganj seat. The 2,000 people in the chain held up banners demanding safe elections.
“In the municipal elections of 2017, I have seen how violence was unleashed in the town and our locality. Common voters were intimidated so that they did not turn up at the booths. I could not cast my vote. As I learnt that another election would be held soon, I felt it necessary to appeal to the administration as a citizen, seeking security for all voters,” said Rani.
In the civic polls, when Rani went out to vote, some miscreants lobbed a bomb but she was unhurt.
Jatindranath, her husband, had been behind bars for many years during his struggle. He died in 2007.
“My husband had taught all of us to protest injustice. Even though he was ill, he was a regular voter and used to say that this is what the country has achieved with its independence. His thoughts have encouraged me to make the move, even at this age,” said the mother of five.
In 2004, Pulak, Rani’s younger son who was around 35 years old, was murdered near their house after he protested against some eve-teasers. Rani now lives with her two sons and their families. She has two daughters who are married and live elsewhere.
In the past few months, Rani could not watch TV and news because of age-related ailments. “I could hear my sons discuss the elections. I told them I want to send a letter to the administration and asked them whether they could appeal to other residents of the town to join hands and form a human chain to express solidarity with my demand,” said Rani.
On Wednesday, a day before the first phase of polling, the sons took Rani to the district magistrate’s office in a car. “I carried the letter but as I could not climb the stairs, I sat in the car. They (the sons) went and submitted the letter to the DM’s office. I hope my plea is heard,” Rani said.
Plaudits flowed soon after. “Even at this age, she (Rani) has the courage to come out and speak, particularly after the violence in the civic polls,” said Anindya Sarkar, a doctor.
Rani, though, played down her crusade. “I have not done anything exemplary. Being a common voter of this country, I have the right to seek security from the state so that I can exercise my right without any problem.”
Arvind Meena, the DM of North Dinajpur, promised “all possible measures to ensure free and fair polls”.