– Zaina Aman
Following the demolition of ports in Gandhvi and Navadra villages of Gujarat’s Devbhoomi Dwarka district, over 575 Muslim fishermen are unable to cast their votes as their names were removed from the voter list.
Last year, the state administration demolished homes in Gandhvi village for port expansion, displacing its residents. These individuals were long-time voters in Dwarka assembly constituency number 301 and participated in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, approximately 350 Muslim fishermen’s votes have been deleted from this year’s voter list without relocation within Gujarat.
Similarly, in Navadra village, the administration demolished homes for port expansion, affecting residents who were voters in Dwarka Assembly Constituency No. 249. Around 225 Muslim fishermen from Navadra have been removed from this year’s voter list without being relocated within the state.
The fishermen claim they were forcibly evicted by the administration, leading to multiple petitions for reinstatement and resettlement pending in the Gujarat High Court. The demolitions were justified on grounds of “illegal construction on government land” by the Muslim fishermen community.
Despite receiving notices, residents were given insufficient time to vacate or gather belongings before the demolitions. Jakub Moosa Pateliya, a 47-year-old fisherman from Navadra village, now resides 40 kms away from his previous settlement in Mul Dwarka, where he lived for 40 years and voted for at least 13 years. When he attempted to check his voter registration, he was denied by taluka authorities.
The disenfranchisement of over 575 Muslim fishermen in Gujarat’s Devbhoomi Dwarka district highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing their fundamental rights. The forced eviction and deletion of their names from the voter list underscore the urgent need for fair and equitable treatment under the law. As petitions for reinstatement and resettlement remain pending in the Gujarat High Court, it is imperative for authorities to address these issues promptly to ensure that all citizens can exercise their democratic rights without discrimination.
