SIR trying to steal not just vote, but future as well: Rahul Gandhi in Patna

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and other allies of the INDIA bloc, led a protest march in Patna on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, alleging that the exercise aimed at disenfranchising marginalised voters ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

Holding a copy of the Constitution in hand while addressing protestors from atop a vehicle, Mr. Gandhi said, “SIR is not only an attempt to steal your vote but also of your future. But the youths of Bihar will not let it happen as the entire Opposition stands with you.” The gathering, largely comprising students and young supporters, responded with loud cheers.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament also alleged that the Election Commission had lost its independence. “The Election Commissioner used to be above political parties, but today they’re being nominated by the BJP and RSS,” Mr. Gandhi charged.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav echoed the criticism, accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning like an “arm of a political party”. Referring obliquely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said, “Will two people from Gujarat decide which Bihari voter can vote and which cannot?”

“The Election Commission has lost its credibility. Preparations are underway to remove a large number of voters from the voter list. First, their names will be removed, then their pensions and their rations will also be eventually taken away,” Mr. Yadav claimed.

Leaders of the three Left parties and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani also joined the protest, standing beside Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Yadav on the protest vehicle.

The Opposition leaders attempted to march to the State Election Commission office but were stopped by district officials near the State Assembly. A minor scuffle between the police and protestors ensued.

The march passed by the BJP’s State headquarters on Beerchand Patel Road in Patna, where a significant deployment of security personnel was seen.

Meanwhile, Independent MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, led parallel protests and attempted to disrupt train movement at the Secretariat Halt railway station. His supporters blocked road and rail traffic across several north Bihar districts, including Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Muzaffarpur. Protestors also disrupted movement at Bhojpur (Ara), Arwal, Darbhanga and Jehanabad, setting tyres ablaze on National Highway-30 in Patna district.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and others addresses supporters and the media during ‘Bihar bandh’ in Patna, on July 9, 2025. Photo: AICC via PTI

“The Election Commission through SIR is, in fact, snatching voting rights from migrants, Dalits, Mahadalits and poor voters. It is a conspiracy to block votes ahead of the state Assembly elections,” Mr. Yadav alleged.

Reacting to the protests, senior BJP leader and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Opposition of politicising a routine electoral process. “Today, the Opposition parties have called a Bihar bandh against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have taken to the streets,” he said at a press conference.

“In our country, citizens vote from where they live. So what is their problem if a revision of voter lists is done?” he asked.

State BJP leaders described the bandh as a “flop show”, claiming minimal public response.