Bhaskar: Gujarat: Saturday, 11 July 2026.
Controversy over remarks made by noted Gujarat folk artists Maya Ahir and Kirtidan Gadhvi about tax payments during a dayro (folk music event) has sparked widespread outrage across the state and on social media.
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Amid the backlash, Morbi
resident Ramesh Zhilariya released RTI documents claiming that Maya Ahir
received ₹3.5 lakh for one SAUNI Yojana event, while Kirtidan Gadhvi was paid
₹10 lakh for two dayro performances.
In a viral video, Maya Ahir defended government employees, saying people behave 'as if they pay their father's tax' when claiming salaries are funded by taxpayers. Kirtidan Gadhvi, echoing the sentiment, joked from the stage that people 'don't even pay tax and eat rationed wheat'.
The RTI disclosures have fuelled public criticism, with many arguing that artists paid from public funds should not mock taxpayers.
Morbi citizen obtained
information through RTI
This arrogant statement by the artists has hurt the sentiments of the poor and middle class of Gujarat, because even the poorest person in the country pays GST on small and large items. As soon as this controversial statement came to light, Morbi citizen Ramesh Zhilariya obtained official information from government departments under the RTI Act of 2005.
Citing this information, he made a shocking revelation that both these artists had participated in a government Sauni Yojana inauguration program held in Rajkot from 22 June, 2017, to 25 June, 2017.
Maya Ahir received ₹3.5 lakh for one dayro, Kirtidan ₹10 lakh for two
According to RTI documents, four government-sponsored dayro (folk music) events were organised under the SAUNI Yojana in 2017. Maya Ahir was paid ₹3.5 lakh for one performance, while Kirtidan Gadhvi received ₹10 lakh for two performances (₹5 lakh each).
Critics say the artists, who questioned whether the public pays tax, themselves earned lakhs of rupees from taxpayer-funded government programmes.
RTI activist questions artists' remarks
Speaking to Divya Bhaskar, RTI activist Ramesh Zhilariya said even the poorest citizens contribute to government revenue through GST and fuel taxes.
He argued that the same tax money funds government salaries, public representatives' benefits and payments to artists. He accused the artists of insulting the public despite benefiting from taxpayer-funded events.
Calls for disclosure of earnings and taxes
Referring to the RTI records, Zhilariya challenged the artists to disclose how many private and government dayro events they have performed since 2017, the fees they received, their total earnings and the amount of tax they paid on that income.
He also said artists should urge the government to improve governance, reduce the tax burden and provide free healthcare and education, adding that they should think carefully before making such remarks about the public.
Debate over ethics of government-funded performances
The controversy has sparked debate over the ethics of artists receiving payments from government programmes while criticising taxpayers. Following the RTI disclosures, many on social media have accused the artists of double standards, and the issue is expected to intensify in the coming days.
What did Maya Ahir say?
During a dayro event in Surat, Maya Ahir criticised people who record videos of police officers and claim government employees are paid from taxpayers' money. He said people behave 'as if they are paying their father's tax' and added that many who make such claims ‘eat rationed wheat’ despite never paying tax. The video quickly went viral, triggering widespread public criticism.
Other artists back Maya Ahir
While many have condemned Maya Ahir's remarks, several Gujarat artists have publicly supported him. Singer Kirtidan Gadhvi, along with Devayat Khavad, Sairam Dave and Rajbha Gadhvi, shared social media posts praising Maya Ahir as a symbol of truth, love, service and compassion. Their support has added a new dimension to the controversy, which is expected to grow further.
Controversy over remarks made by noted Gujarat folk artists Maya Ahir and Kirtidan Gadhvi about tax payments during a dayro (folk music event) has sparked widespread outrage across the state and on social media.
.jpeg)
In a viral video, Maya Ahir defended government employees, saying people behave 'as if they pay their father's tax' when claiming salaries are funded by taxpayers. Kirtidan Gadhvi, echoing the sentiment, joked from the stage that people 'don't even pay tax and eat rationed wheat'.
The RTI disclosures have fuelled public criticism, with many arguing that artists paid from public funds should not mock taxpayers.
This arrogant statement by the artists has hurt the sentiments of the poor and middle class of Gujarat, because even the poorest person in the country pays GST on small and large items. As soon as this controversial statement came to light, Morbi citizen Ramesh Zhilariya obtained official information from government departments under the RTI Act of 2005.
Citing this information, he made a shocking revelation that both these artists had participated in a government Sauni Yojana inauguration program held in Rajkot from 22 June, 2017, to 25 June, 2017.
Maya Ahir received ₹3.5 lakh for one dayro, Kirtidan ₹10 lakh for two
According to RTI documents, four government-sponsored dayro (folk music) events were organised under the SAUNI Yojana in 2017. Maya Ahir was paid ₹3.5 lakh for one performance, while Kirtidan Gadhvi received ₹10 lakh for two performances (₹5 lakh each).
Critics say the artists, who questioned whether the public pays tax, themselves earned lakhs of rupees from taxpayer-funded government programmes.
RTI activist questions artists' remarks
Speaking to Divya Bhaskar, RTI activist Ramesh Zhilariya said even the poorest citizens contribute to government revenue through GST and fuel taxes.
He argued that the same tax money funds government salaries, public representatives' benefits and payments to artists. He accused the artists of insulting the public despite benefiting from taxpayer-funded events.
Calls for disclosure of earnings and taxes
Referring to the RTI records, Zhilariya challenged the artists to disclose how many private and government dayro events they have performed since 2017, the fees they received, their total earnings and the amount of tax they paid on that income.
He also said artists should urge the government to improve governance, reduce the tax burden and provide free healthcare and education, adding that they should think carefully before making such remarks about the public.
Debate over ethics of government-funded performances
The controversy has sparked debate over the ethics of artists receiving payments from government programmes while criticising taxpayers. Following the RTI disclosures, many on social media have accused the artists of double standards, and the issue is expected to intensify in the coming days.
What did Maya Ahir say?
During a dayro event in Surat, Maya Ahir criticised people who record videos of police officers and claim government employees are paid from taxpayers' money. He said people behave 'as if they are paying their father's tax' and added that many who make such claims ‘eat rationed wheat’ despite never paying tax. The video quickly went viral, triggering widespread public criticism.
Other artists back Maya Ahir
While many have condemned Maya Ahir's remarks, several Gujarat artists have publicly supported him. Singer Kirtidan Gadhvi, along with Devayat Khavad, Sairam Dave and Rajbha Gadhvi, shared social media posts praising Maya Ahir as a symbol of truth, love, service and compassion. Their support has added a new dimension to the controversy, which is expected to grow further.
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