Harekrala Hajabba Receives SIR Notice Over Voter List Name Mismatch

A name mismatch in voter records led election officials to issue an SIR notice to Padma Shri awardee Harekrala Hajabba in Dakshina Kannada, creating surprise given his well known public identity and the records he currently holds.

The notice asked Hajabba to appear with supporting documents during the Special Intensive Revision process. However, the issue was resolved within a few hours after officials reportedly acknowledged that there had been a mistake and took back the notice.

Hajabba said the notice reached his home around noon. He was asked to appear before the election authorities at the Harekrala Gram Panchayat on September 11 with original documents. The notice was connected to a difference between the name appearing in the current electoral roll and the name recorded during an earlier SIR exercise.

According to the information provided in the notice, the authorities wanted documents to verify his details so that his name could remain in the final electoral roll. The development, however, took an unexpected turn later in the day.

Officials Return To Collect The Notice

Several hours after the notice was delivered, a village accountant reportedly contacted Hajabba and informed him that a minor error had occurred. The official then visited his home and collected the notice back.

Hajabba said the authorities assured him that the name discrepancy would be corrected in the records. After receiving that assurance, he handed the notice back to the official.

The quick withdrawal brought the matter to an end for the moment, but the incident has drawn attention because of the unusual difference in the name associated with Hajabba in older and newer records.

Why The Name Difference Occurred

Harekrala Hajabba is widely known for his work in education and his journey from selling oranges to establishing a school in his native Harekrala. His efforts eventually brought him national recognition and the Padma Shri award.

The name used in his older records was reportedly different from the name by which he is now commonly identified. Hajabba explained that before 2000, his documents generally carried only the name Hajabba.

As his story of selling oranges and using the earnings to build a school received wider attention, the name Harekrala Hajabba became increasingly associated with him. Over time, that name was also used across several official and personal records.

Hajabba said his Aadhaar card, ration card and passport currently carry the name Harekrala Hajabba. He also pointed out that the same name appears on documents connected with his Padma Shri award, Karnataka Rajyotsava recognition and doctorate.

His explanation suggests that the mismatch may have originated from the difference between older electoral records and the name used in his more recent documents.

Hajabba Shares Details Of The Incident

Speaking about the notice, Hajabba said two Anganwadi workers came to his home and handed it over. They asked him to bring his documents to the Gram Panchayat for verification.

He also recalled being asked to take a photograph after receiving the notice. During that process, he stood near the Padma Shri award he had received from the President.

For Hajabba, the presence of the same name across his major documents made the notice unexpected. He said he showed that his Aadhaar card, ration card, passport and other records all carried the name Harekrala Hajabba.

Later in the evening, the village accountant called him and reportedly described the issue as a small mistake. The official requested that the notice be returned and subsequently came to Hajabba’s house to collect it.

Officials also assured him that the required correction would be handled by the authorities, according to his account.

SIR Process And Voter Records

The Special Intensive Revision process is intended to review electoral roll information and identify discrepancies in voter records. Such verification can involve checking details recorded in current and previous electoral rolls along with supporting documents.

A difference in names does not necessarily indicate that a person is ineligible to vote. In cases where records do not match, election officials may seek clarification or supporting documents before making a final decision.

Hajabba’s case highlights how differences between older records and names used in later official documents can create confusion during voter list verification.

In this instance, the notice was withdrawn shortly after it was issued, with officials reportedly promising to correct the relevant records themselves.

A Name Linked To A Larger Story

Hajabba’s name has been closely associated with his efforts to improve access to education in rural Karnataka. His decision to use money earned from selling oranges to support the construction of a school made his story widely known across the country.

His recognition through the Padma Shri further established Harekrala Hajabba as the name used in public life and official honours.

The SIR notice therefore came as a surprise, particularly because the difference appears to involve an older version of his name rather than a dispute over his identity.

Hajabba has expressed confidence that the authorities will correct the records as promised. With the notice withdrawn, the immediate verification requirement has also been set aside, according to the information available from his statement.

The episode nevertheless shows why accurate and consistent voter records are important during electoral roll revision. Even a small difference in an individual’s name can result in additional verification when older and newer records are compared.

For now, Hajabba said he has been assured that the discrepancy will be corrected, bringing a brief but unusual SIR related episode involving the Padma Shri awardee to a close.