Uttar pradesh — A voter list from Varanasi has triggered political controversy after it showed the name of an unmarried seer, Swami Ramkamal Das, listed as the “father” of 50 voters. The document, reportedly from Ward No. 51, went viral on social media, prompting opposition criticism and calls for investigation.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai alleged that the entry reflected manipulation of electoral rolls and claimed it raised questions about the fairness of elections. He linked the incident to earlier allegations of “vote theft” during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

However, officials and local sources have offered a different explanation. According to authorities, the voters in question are disciples of Swami Ramkamal Das, who is the founder of Ram Janaki Math. As per tradition in some religious orders, disciples adopt their guru’s name in official documents in place of their biological father’s name. This practice, recognised in official guidelines, is not considered a violation of electoral norms.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s office stated that the list in circulation pertains to a municipal ward and reflects cultural naming conventions rather than any deliberate attempt at voter fraud. Monastery representatives also clarified that the practice is long-standing among members of the sect.

While the Congress has maintained its demand for greater scrutiny of electoral rolls, officials emphasised that no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged in this case. The episode highlights how religious customs can sometimes be misinterpreted in politically charged situations.