Garhwa: A sensational case that shames democracy and the electoral process has come to light from Garhwa district of Jharkhand. Serious questions were raised on the credibility of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign here, when a video went viral rapidly on social media. In this video, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) has been accused of extorting 'kharcha-pani' (bribe) from villagers in the name of voter verification.
Villagers in panic over the threat of revoking citizenship
This entire matter pertains to the Goryabandh Tola of Khapro Panchayat in Ranka block. The local villagers have directly alleged that BLO Jamila Bibi is demanding Rs 50 to 100 in exchange for filling out and submitting the voter verification form, whereas this entire exercise of the Election Commission is completely free of cost.
The limit was crossed when those opposing this illegal extortion were threatened with dire consequences. Local resident Mohammad Parvez Ansari claimed that villagers are being intimidated for not paying money and are being told that 'your citizenship will be taken away.' Due to this fear, many villagers are unable to muster the courage to submit the forms despite filling them out.
BLO's counterattack: 'This is a conspiracy to frame me'
On the other hand, BLO Jamila Bibi, who has come under the scanner of allegations, has outrightly rejected all the accusations against her. She termed it a well-planned conspiracy to tarnish her image. Jamila Bibi says that she has so far processed about 170 forms with full transparency without any transaction and anyone can check her work. She claimed that she has not asked for a single rupee from any villager.
Administration's silence and public outrage
There is a stir in the entire area since this viral video surfaced, and there is massive outrage among the villagers. People are demanding to keep this entire process transparent and corruption-free. However, no official action or initiation of an inquiry by the district administration has been confirmed yet in this sensitive matter. Now everyone is waiting for an administrative inquiry, only after which the real face of this 'viral truth' will become clear.
