Panaji: All that Paresh Salgaonkar wanted was his right to vote. It took him over a year of countless visits and repeated representations to Election Commission’s Goa office before a court battle before Bombay High Court on Thursday ensured that he and his five family members will be back on the electoral rolls.“Satyameva Jayate! Finally, I have got relief from the court. All my efforts have paid off,” said Paresh.“I am neither an activist nor did I raise my voice on behalf of any individual or political party. I went as an ordinary citizen of the country,” he said.Paresh (41), who holds a master’s in law and an engineering degree, only wanted what was rightfully his. “Our names were deleted against the principles of natural justice because I was never given an opportunity of being heard,” he said.Since Dec 16, 2025, when the family of six found their names missing from the draft electoral rolls, he has been fighting for the basic right enshrined under Article 326 of the Constitution.He had to skip work, take leave and dip into his savings to fight the legal battle. “There are many people like me who are in my position, but who could not approach the court because they don’t have time and money,” he said.When the St Cruz family shifted residence in 2025, they never imagined that this right would slip out of their hands during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). At times, the private-sector employee began to question his principles, wondering whether he would triumph against the heft of Election Commission’s machinery.“Many days I felt that I will not get justice. My friends told me that ultimately the court will decide in favour of govt. Mentally, there was a lot of stress,” said Paresh, who often stood stoically in court next to his advocate.In times when doubts crept in, what stood him in good stead were his principles and ethics.“They asked me to file Form 6, which was against my ethics. Form 6 has a declaration that I am a first-time voter. I cannot go against my ethics. They cannot ask an educated person to make false statements. I have done my master’s in law. How can I now give false statements?” said Paresh.The Salgaonkars were among the 1.1 lakh voters whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls because they had either shifted residence, could not be traced or were deemed disqualified as voters.“It will help other people who are in the same boat as me,” said Paresh, adding that a message needs to go out that the right to vote is a democratic right, and cannot be “casually deleted or taken away”.“Valid voters are being deleted,” he said.
