Kinnars intensify their endeavors to enhance voter participation in the realm dominated by mafia overlords in Uttar Pradesh

In the ancient city of Varanasi, the Kinnars have escalated their endeavors to augment voter turnout within Uttar Pradesh’s Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency, a domain ensnared by the influence of mafia overlords. In both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the region experienced a lamentable polling rate of below 60%.

“When I engaged with the Kinnars to delve into the challenges faced by the transgender community and to impel them towards voter registration, they eagerly proposed launching an awareness campaign concerning electoral rights,” remarked Praveen Mishra, the District Magistrate and district election officer of Mau.

Ghosi, home to Atul Rai, the embroiled parliamentarian who faced incarceration on charges of rape shortly after securing victory in the 2019 elections, is also the domain of incarcerated mafia kingpin Mukhtar Ansari. Hena Qureshi, the president of the Mau Kinnars’ Union, articulated the impetus behind their initiative. “Over the past several years, we have witnessed an era of constructive governance. We have reaped the benefits of governmental initiatives such as the establishment of elderly care facilities, access to Ayushman Bharat healthcare services, and the provision of sanitation facilities. We also sense a heightened level of security. With the government extending its care to our community, we felt compelled to reciprocate. When the District Magistrate called upon us to enroll as voters, we expressed our eagerness to contribute towards fostering awareness regarding the electoral process and bolstering the foundations of democracy,” elucidated Qureshi.

Khushbu, a protege of Qureshi, expounded, “Drawing crowds is an effortless feat for us. Our performances at clients’ residences during celebratory occasions attract throngs of spectators. During the jubilant festivities of Holi, the magnitude of our gatherings was unmistakable. Following each performance, we fervently urged attendees to exercise their right to vote.”

The Kinnar community plans to orchestrate additional awareness initiatives, encompassing rallies and door-to-door campaigns, to educate the populace about the significance of electoral participation, as asserted by Khushbu.

Historically, Ghosi was a bastion of the Bhumihar community until the political hegemony of the four-time Member of Parliament and former Union minister Kalpnath Rai was extinguished in 1998. Subsequently, the electoral landscape witnessed the ascension of Chauhan and Rajbhar vote banks, with the incarcerated mafia don Mukhtar Ansari and his lineage exerting considerable influence. Ghosi further witnessed the emergence of another formidable political figure, Atul Rai, who, despite clinching victory, found himself ensnared in a web of legal troubles that often led to his confinement.”