Renowned educationist and Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba was served a notice by the Election Commission due to discrepancies in his name within the electoral rolls. Officials have since assured him that his name will remain intact.
- Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba received an EC notice regarding name discrepancies.
- The issue stems from a mismatch between the 2002 electoral roll and current identity documents.
- A senior official visited his residence and assured his name would be retained in the final roll.
- Dozens of other voters in the Harekala region face similar administrative notices.
In a surprising turn of events, Harekala Hajabba, the celebrated orange seller-turned-educationist and Padma Shri awardee from Mangaluru, has been served a notice by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The notice pertains to a perceived mismatch in his name between the current electoral roll and the records from 2002.
The 71-year-old Hajabba explained that in the 2002 electoral rolls, his name was recorded simply as 'Hajabba.' Over the years, following his widespread recognition and various accolades, his name was formally updated to 'Harekala Hajabba.' This updated name is consistently reflected in his Aadhaar card, property records, ration card, and his prestigious Padma Shri award documentation.
The Conflict of Identity
On Sunday, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) visited his residence in Harekala village to serve the notice, citing a 'self-name mismatch.' Mr. Hajabba expressed confusion regarding the sudden administrative action, stating, "I did not know it was a notice related to the ongoing SIR (Special Improvement Report). I realized this only after receiving calls from the media."
BozokMedia analysis shows that such discrepancies often arise when individuals undergo legitimate name changes for social or legal recognition, which subsequently creates friction with static, decades-old government databases. This highlights a significant gap in how administrative systems reconcile historical data with modern identity updates.
Administrative rigidity in verifying identity can inadvertently penalize citizens who have achieved national recognition.
Following the incident, a senior government official visited Mr. Hajabba's home on Monday to personally verify his extensive documentation. Upon reviewing the valid proofs, the official reportedly took back the notice and provided an assurance that his name would be safely retained in the final electoral roll.
Historical Background: A Legacy of Giving
Harekala Hajabba rose to national prominence for his selfless contribution to education. Using the meager savings earned from selling oranges, he funded the construction of a government school in his native village of Harekala, located in the Mangaluru Assembly constituency. This institution has since expanded to include a Pre-University College, transforming the educational landscape of the region.
Widespread Electoral Discrepancies
Mr. Hajabba is not an isolated case. At the Aided Shri Ramakrishna School polling booth in Harekala, approximately 45 voters have been served notices due to various data discrepancies. The issues identified include:
| Discrepancy Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Name Mismatch | Differences between 2002 and current rolls |
| Parental Age | Discrepancies in parents' recorded ages |
| Progeny Details | Inconsistencies in offspring information |
| SIR Mapping | Failure to map with the last Special Improvement Report |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why was Harekala Hajabba served a notice?
Answer: Due to a discrepancy between his name in the 2002 electoral roll and his current official documents.
Question 2: Will his voting rights be affected?
Answer: No, officials have reviewed his documents and assured him that his name will remain on the voter list.
