A political controversy has arisen in Gujarat regarding the removal of Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai, also known as Haji Ramakdu, from the electoral roll in Junagadh. Haji Ramakdu, a respected octogenarian folk musician known for his dholak performances and artistic contributions, was recently honored with the Padma Shri award for his six decades of work. The controversy stems from an objection filed during the state’s Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, alleging that Haji Ramakdu had permanently relocated.
Local Bharatiya Janata Party councillor submitted the objection claiming Haji Ramakdu’s relocation and requested his name be deleted from the voters’ list. Congress leaders have challenged this claim, asserting that the artist has been a resident of Junagadh for many years and questioning the grounds for removing his name. Spokesperson Manish Doshi criticized the move, highlighting Haji Ramakdu’s contributions to art and calling for a review of the objection.
Similar challenges were raised earlier in the case of Shahabuddin Rathod, a renowned humorist and Padma Shri awardee, whose name was targeted under the same process. Rathod, a national figure in Gujarati literature, emphasized the need for proper verification before any voter registration cancellation. The Congress has raised concerns over the broader electoral revision exercise, demanding transparency and scrutiny of objection procedures to prevent misuse.
The controversy has sparked discussions on the transparency and fairness of the electoral roll revision process in Gujarat. The Chief Electoral Officer has not yet publicly addressed the objections raised in Haji Ramakdu’s case, leaving the situation unresolved.
