New Delhi — In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with several leaders from the INDIA alliance, staged a protest in the Parliament complex today, accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of orchestrating a “conspiracy” to suppress voting rights in Bihar under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking out strongly, Rahul Gandhi alleged, “After increasing voter numbers to manipulate results in Maharashtra, the same is now being attempted in Bihar — not by adding names, but by deleting them. Under the name of SIR, this is nothing less than a form of ‘vote demonetisation’ — a ploy to rob citizens of their constitutional right to vote.”
‘Vote Demonetisation’ Accusation Sparks Political Firestorm
The term ‘vote demonetisation’, coined by the Opposition, refers to what they claim is a deliberate removal of legitimate voters’ names, especially in constituencies where the ruling party faces strong resistance. Gandhi called it a “systematic attack on democracy” and a blatant violation of Article 326 of the Constitution, which guarantees universal adult suffrage.
Opposition MPs from the Congress, RJD, DMK, TMC, AAP, and Left parties joined the protest, carrying placards with messages such as “Stop Voter Deletion in Bihar”, “Protect Constitutional Rights”, and “Election Commission Must Answer”.
Background: Bihar’s SIR Drive Under Scrutiny
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, currently underway in Bihar, is officially intended to clean up the voter rolls ahead of the 2025 state elections. However, the Opposition claims that instead of streamlining, the process is being misused to arbitrarily delete names, primarily of voters from marginalized and minority communities.
Sources from the Election Commission have denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the revision is part of standard electoral procedure. However, multiple complaints have emerged across districts alleging mass deletions without due verification.
Rahul Gandhi: “We Stand to Defend the Constitution”
“This is not just a Bihar issue; it’s a national threat to democracy. Every time people begin to reclaim their rights, this government tries to steal their voice through backdoor methods. We will not let this happen,” Rahul Gandhi declared during the protest.
He further asserted that the INDIA alliance will raise this issue inside and outside Parliament, and if needed, will launch nationwide agitation to safeguard democratic rights.
Opposition Demands:
- Immediate halt to the SIR process until a transparent audit is conducted.
- Public disclosure of all voter deletions with detailed justification.
- Formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe electoral roll manipulation.
- Involvement of civil society and neutral observers in the voter revision process.
A Charged Monsoon Session Ahead
The issue is expected to dominate the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the Opposition vowing to stall proceedings until the government gives a formal response. With upcoming state elections and Lok Sabha polls just months away, the debate over voter rolls could become a defining flashpoint in the electoral narrative.
As the INDIA alliance tightens its stance, the spotlight now turns to the Election Commission and the Centre’s next move on this growing controversy.
