It’s first free and fair poll of their life

NAGPUR: Gathered in a room as they flaunted their inked fingers, many said it was their first free and fair elections, with no more voting under the shadow of gun or by diktats of feudal lords.
Around 200 Pakistan Sindhis in Nagpur, who were granted citizenship at the hands of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in December last, voted for the first time in India on Thursday. Many of them had got election cards barely a week ago.

Coming from Sindh province of Pakistan, they had been living in India on long-term visas (LTV), for over a decade. A gazette issued during BJP regime gave powers to district collectors for granting citizenship in certain districts. The Sindhis have shifted to India alleging persecution of minorities in Pakistan.

“Quami Intekhab was the word, isn’t it? Now learn the word for elections in Marathi,” joked one of them prompting others in the crowd. Among the 20-odd who had gathered at a commercial office in Jaripatka some had also last cast vote in Pakistan.

Bachram Batra, in his fifties who voted for the first time in India, said he was impressed to see the electronic voting machine (EVM). Back in Pakistan, there used to be ballot papers. I felt so free here, there were no Kalashnikov totting guards breathing down your neck.

“Here you can vote for whom you want. In Pakistan, each one in the area used to get a whip from the local barons on whom to vote for. They would change parties and we had to vote accordingly,” they said.

“Former chief minister of Sindh Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar, is from our area. His tribe holds the sway there and we had to vote accordingly,” said Batra.

“At times, votes in our names were cast by others. Each village is dominated by a tribe that issues directions to vote. Thankfully, those days are gone,” said Rajesh Jhambia, who also got citizenship last year. “We could not wait for the day to start. Many had parked themselves at the polling stations early in the morning,” he said.

Rajesh Advani, in his 20s, broke his arm and leg after a fall. He was lifted to the election booth by his friend. “I did not want to miss the chance,” he said.

Others — Kamal Waswani, Jaikumar Khemani, Manish Batra and Manohar Pamnani also narrated their experiences. “Last time, I had voted for Bhagwandas Chawla, who contested on Muslim League ticket,” said Pamnani.

Even as others rejoiced, those like Ganesh Parwani and Kanhaiyalal Jambani were not entirely happy. They had got citizenship and election cards but applications of their family members remain to be cleared.

After the first 200 applications, a second lot of 350 Pakistanis remain pending at the collectors’ level. We demand that prompt decision must be taken,” said Jhambia.

Talking among themselves they recalled incidents of kidnapping and names that once stuck terror in their minds. “Miya Mithu, expelled MLA of PPP, is dreaded in the area, not even the government can act against him,” said one of them.