Minta Devi Age Claim — The Real Story
During recent political protests in India, t-shirts bearing the slogan “124 Not Out” and the name and photo of Minta Devi, a resident of Siwan district, Bihar, went viral. Opposition leaders used her case to allege serious flaws in the voter list, claiming she was 124 years old.
The Facts
In truth, Minta Devi is 35 years old. Her inflated age in the records was due to a clerical error where her birth year was entered as 1900 instead of 1990, resulting in an official age of 124 years.
Minta Devi’s Response
Minta Devi voiced strong objections to the use of her name and image in political campaigns without her consent. She questioned the ethics of political leaders using her identity for protest messages without informing her. She has submitted Form-8 to the Election Commission to correct her details.
Election Commission’s Action
The Election Commission has acknowledged the error, attributing it to manual data entry issues, and confirmed that the correction process is underway. Officials noted such errors can occur during voter registration or data migration.
Wider Impact
This incident has fueled debate on voter list accuracy and political accountability. Critics argue such glaring mistakes undermine trust in electoral systems, while others see it as emblematic of broader systemic issues.
Accuracy of voter lists: Critics argue that such glaring mistakes undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Consent and political ethics: Using someone’s identity without permission in political campaigns raises serious ethical concerns.
Systemic voter list reforms: Some believe the controversy highlights the need for stronger verification and data management systems.
Summary Table
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Minta Devi is 124 years old | False — due to clerical error |
| Actual Age | 35 years (DOB: July 15, 1990) |
| Consent for Protest Use | Not given |
| EC’s Response | Correction process underway |
In summary: The claim that Minta Devi is 124 years old is entirely false, caused by a data-entry mistake. While the error is being corrected, the political use of her image without consent has sparked important discussions about electoral transparency and individual rights.
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Author: Nitin mittal
CA by qualification
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