Padma Shri awardee and noted dholak player Mir Haji Kasam found himself facing a voter roll objection in Junagadh. Given that he was publicly honoured by the Gujarat government, the irony amid this scrutiny is unmistakable.
The past 15 days have been among the most eventful in the life of Kasam, also known as Haji Ramakdu and Haji Rathod.
On January 13, BJP Junagadh Municipal Corporation member Sanjay Manvar filed an objection to the inclusion of Kasam’s name in the voter rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Gujarat.
On the eve of Republic Day, the Centre announced Kasam as one of this year’s Padma Shri awardees.
And three days later, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel felicitated him at an event held at Junagadh Agricultural University. Manvar was present in the audience.
Several BJP leaders and ministers attended the programme. Among those who met Kasam was Junagadh District Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) Charansinh Gohil. He reportedly assured him that he had nothing to worry about.
Officials said around 80,000 forms objecting to names in voter rolls have been received in Junagadh district as part of the SIR exercise. These will now be processed and verified before the final electoral list is released, reported a section of the media.
Kasam, who is in his 70s, expressed happiness at the turn of events. Speaking to a national newspaper, he thanked the Centre for the Padma Shri and the state government for the felicitation. He also said he was not worried about his name being excluded from the voter list and expressed full faith in the government.
Since the Padma Shri announcement, Manvar has sought to downplay his objection. On Wednesday, after the university event, he met Kasam at the BJP office in Junagadh, and photographs of the two together later appeared.
Manvar explained that he was unable to meet Kasam at the university event because the musician was surrounded by district officials. He added that he had to leave early after being assigned work by a BJP leader, but said he would meet Kasam in the future if given the chance.
The BJP corporator, who represents Ward No. 7 in Junagadh, reiterated that confusion over Kasam being known by multiple names led to the objection. In the Form No. 7 he submitted, Manvar stated that “Hajibhai Rathod and his family” had permanently shifted from Ward No. 7, despite being included in its voter rolls. He also noted that there is no provision to withdraw objections under the SIR process.
Manvar added that while locals know Kasam as Hajibhai Ramakdu, the electoral list carried the name Hajibhai Rathod. BJP workers had verified the address and found no person by that name living there, confirming that Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai and his family resided at the listed address. He said he raised the objection fearing possible misuse of the name and that it was now up to officials to correct the issue.
According to the media report, ERO Gohil confirmed receipt of the Form No. 7 filed by Manvar and said the objection was under verification. A booth-level officer (BLO) will visit Hajibhai Rathod’s residence to verify details and collect documents, and Manvar will also be asked to provide proof supporting his objection. Gohil said the final decision would rest with him as the ERO.
He added that while there appeared to be discrepancies in Kasam’s case, they would be resolved. Officials would likely reject the Form No. 7 after verifying the documents, and the same process applies to all objections.
Also Read: ECI Revises SIR Schedule In 12 States, Including Gujarat https://www.vibesofindia.com/eci-revises-sir-schedule-in-12-states-including-gujarat/
