Gujarat : Padma Shri Awardee Haji Ramkadu’s Name Sought to Be Deleted from Voter List, Row Erupts

Junagadh | Gujarat — Barely two days after the announcement of the prestigious Padma Shri Award, a major political controversy has erupted in Gujarat following an application seeking the removal of renowned folk artist Haji Kasam Rathod, popularly known as Haji Ramkadu, from the voter list. The move has triggered sharp political reactions, raising questions about intent, timing, and the fairness of the ongoing voter list revision process.

Haji Ramkadu, who has brought laurels to Saurashtra and Gujarat through his art both in India and abroad, was recently selected for the Padma Shri. However, even as celebrations were underway, BJP corporator Sanjaybhai Manwar of Junagadh Municipal Corporation’s Ward No. 7 filed Form No. 7, requesting the deletion of Rathod’s name from the electoral roll, claiming migration.

Speaking to the media, corporator Sanjay Manwar defended his action, saying, “I have only applied for verification. The purpose was to ensure that there is no misuse of the voter list and that the records are accurate. The application was not filed with any malice or political intention.”

The explanation, however, failed to convince the opposition. Leader of the Opposition in Junagadh Municipal Corporation, Lalit Parsana, launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP. “Just two days ago, the Government of India announced Padma Shri for Haji Ramkadu. BJP leaders and even an MLA visited his residence to felicitate him. If that is the case, how can the BJP now claim that he has migrated?” Parsana questioned. “This clearly exposes the double standards of the ruling party.”

The controversy has also revived memories of a similar incident involving Padma Shri awardee and world-famous comedian Shahabuddin Rathod, whose name was allegedly deleted from the voter list earlier. In Surendranagar and the Chotila region, the political atmosphere has already been charged over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Former MLA Ritwik Makwana has levelled serious allegations against the administration, claiming that Form No. 7 was deliberately used to remove Shahabuddin Rathod’s name. “How can internationally recognised artists and Padma Shri awardees suddenly be declared migrants?” Makwana asked, terming the issue “deeply disturbing for democracy.”