Border Community in Kanchanpur Feels Ignored as Election Fever Rises Elsewhere

Kanchanpur. While election fervor grips the nation, the Badi settlement in Dodhara Chandani-3, Kanchanpur, remains deserted.

As the election date nears, political parties and candidates are busy wooing voters. However, the marginalized community in Baduwal Tole, plagued by poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment, has neither been a priority for the state nor for the parties and candidates.

This settlement, where Badi and other communities totaling over a hundred households have resided for nearly three decades, depends on cross-border employment in India and daily wages for their livelihood. The voters here had hoped that in the elections, parties and candidates would bring specific plans and programs addressing the Badi community. But that hope has not only turned into disappointment but the candidates haven't even visited the settlement to ask for votes, leaving the Badi community disheartened. “No leader has come to our settlement to ask for votes so far,” said local resident Birbhane Badi, “We are in a situation where we have to flee at night due to the fear of wild animals, and because leaders haven't come, we couldn't voice our demands.”

The locals feel untouched by the election because candidates have not visited their settlement. Sita Badi stated that the main problems in this settlement bordering India include poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, elephant terror, floods and erosion, squatters' issues, illegal smuggling, and border disputes. “We have many problems; if candidates had come to ask for votes, we would have shared our plight,” she said, “We endure many problems on the border.” The Badi community is saddened by the fact that political parties and candidates, who usually visit during every election to seek votes, have not come for door-to-door campaigning this time, preventing them from raising their demands.

She added that despite enduring numerous hardships, they continue to live on the border to protect it. “Due to the weak economic condition, children here are forced to leave their studies and go to India for employment,” said local resident Resham Badi, “We thought leaders would come during the election and we would state our demands, but the leaders didn't even come to ask for votes.”

According to the National Census 2078, the Badi community population in Sudurpaschim is 2,580, with 458 residing in Kanchanpur alone. The condition of this community remains dire due to poverty, landlessness, and illiteracy.