"If you don't vote, you have no right to complain," says Raza Murad
Mumbai, January 15
Like several Bollywood celebrities, veteran actor Raza Murad stepped out in the city to cast his vote in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
After exercising his right to vote, Raza Murad spoke to ANI and emphasised that voting is a responsibility, and those who do not vote have no moral right to complain later.
"It is your right. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain," he said.
Earlier in the day, celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Khan, and Gaurav Khanna were spotted arriving at their respective polling booths to cast their votes.
Polling for civic body elections began across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra this morning.
According to the State Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 29.22 per cent till 1:30 pm after a sluggish start earlier in the day.
The elections are crucial for major urban centres, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I understand the sentiment, this statement feels a bit harsh. Many people feel disillusioned because they don't see real change. The low turnout itself is a message. The system needs to earn people's faith, not just demand their vote.
Good to see celebrities setting an example. Hope it motivates more youth. But 29% turnout by afternoon is still very poor yaar. We need better awareness, especially for local body elections which are so important.
It's the same everywhere. People are busy with their lives. Making voting day a national holiday or having weekend polling could really help increase participation. Practical solutions are needed alongside moral lectures.
True. No vote, no voice. We criticise netas all the time, but if we don't even take 30 minutes to vote, we are part of the problem. BMC manages our city's budget – we must choose who handles it.
My parents always say this. It's a privilege many fought for. Seeing such low turnout is disheartening. Hopefully, the final numbers are better. Every vote counts, especially in local elections!
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