From Suspect Voter to Padma Shri Honoree: Gujarat BJP Corporator's Dramatic U-Turn
The past fortnight has been nothing short of extraordinary for Mir Haji Kasam, a revered dholak player from Gujarat. In a remarkable twist of events, the 70-year-old artiste, also known as Haji Ramakdu and Haji Rathod, transitioned from being a "suspect" voter to a Padma Shri awardee, all within 15 days.
The Controversial Objection and Swift Resolution
On January 13, Sanjay Manvar, a BJP corporator representing Ward No. 7 in Junagadh Municipal Corporation, filed an objection during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, questioning Kasam's inclusion in the voter rolls. Manvar claimed that "Hajibhai Rathod and his family" had permanently shifted from the ward, prompting concerns about potential misuse of the name.
However, the narrative took an unexpected turn on January 25, when the Centre announced Kasam as one of this year's Padma Shri recipients. Just three days later, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel felicitated the dholak maestro at Junagadh Agricultural University, with Manvar in attendance.
Corporator's Clarification and Electoral Process
Following the Padma Shri announcement, Manvar attempted to downplay his objection, attributing it to confusion arising from Kasam's multiple names. "We all know him as Hajibhai Ramakdu, but on the electoral list his name is Hajibhai Rathod," Manvar explained. He emphasized that BJP workers had verified that no one by the name Hajibhai Rathod resided at the address, leading to the objection.
Charansinh Gohil, Junagadh District Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), confirmed receiving Manvar's Form No. 7 and assured that the verification process was underway. "Our booth level officer will visit Hajibhai Rathod's house for verification and collect necessary documents," Gohil stated, adding that the objection would likely be rejected once documents were verified.
Celebration Amidst Electoral Scrutiny
At the felicitation event, attended by several BJP leaders and ministers, Kasam expressed unwavering faith in the government. "I am not worried about my name not being in the voter list. I have full faith in the government and they will be good to me," he said, radiating happiness over his Padma Shri recognition.
Manvar later met Kasam at the BJP office in Junagadh, where photographs captured their cordial interaction. The corporator reiterated his regret for not being able to meet Kasam earlier at the university event, citing prior commitments.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This incident sheds light on the extensive SIR exercise in Junagadh district, where around 80,000 objection forms have been submitted. Officials emphasize that each objection undergoes rigorous verification before the final voter list is released.
ERO Gohil highlighted the procedural fairness, noting that while discrepancies existed in Kasam's case, they would be resolved systematically. "The process is the same for all such objections," he affirmed, underscoring the importance of due diligence in maintaining electoral integrity.
As Kasam basks in the glory of his Padma Shri, his journey from a contested voter to a celebrated artiste underscores the complexities of electoral administration and the transformative power of national recognition.
