Casteist slur banned by govt features in official voter list in Gujarat’s Dahod

As Gujarat prepares for the gram panchayat elections on June 22, the voter lists have sparked controversy. In the voter list of Dangaria gram panchayat of Dahod, the address of the voters of ward number 8 mentions words that are considered casteist and legally unacceptable.

This list gives details of voter numbers of various fadiyas (groups of houses in an area) of Dangaria village, including Seemada, Tank, Avich, and “Dhe**” fadiya.

Notably, these lists have also been approved by authorities at the Dangaria gram panchayat and the mamlatdar's office.

The Election Commission, advocating for people’s voting rights, has also failed to correct the grave mistake.

Not only in the list published, but a milestone nearby indicating the distance to the locality also uses the same banned  term, right on the public road.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the Government of Gujarat has issued several circulars and has ordered the government departments and offices to use other words in the language of transaction instead of the words used for Scheduled Castes, as per the order of the Governor of Gujarat.

However, such shortcomings only add to the discrimination and casteism faced by residents of such places in rural parts.

Dahod Collector Yogesh Nirgude said that instructions will be given to investigate this matter and take necessary action.