New Delhi, Aug 8: Tensions escalated within the Parliament complex on Friday as Members of Parliament from various INDIA bloc parties staged a vociferous protest against the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Labelling the exercise as a covert attempt at “vote theft,” the opposition MPs raised serious concerns about voter disenfranchisement ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee, along with MPs from the DMK, CPI(M), CPI, and other Left and regional parties, gathered near the Makar Dwar entrance of the Parliament House. Holding placards that read “Stop SIR” and banners declaring “SIR , Silent Invisible Rigging,” the lawmakers alleged that the Election Commission’s actions, far from being a routine electoral roll update, were part of a broader conspiracy to manipulate the democratic process in Bihar.
This marked the 13th day of sustained protest by opposition parties within the Parliament complex, with the only pause being observed on Monday to mourn the passing of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren. The protestors, unified under the banner “Our Vote. Our Right. Our Fight,” chanted slogans and called for an immediate rollback of the SIR, which they claim is being used as a tool to selectively delete legitimate voters under the guise of technical revision.
The opposition’s agitation is rooted in allegations raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who earlier this week held a press conference alleging systemic vote manipulation during the 2024 general elections. According to Gandhi, the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka’s Bangalore Central constituency showed evidence of over one lakh votes being “stolen” through methods such as duplicate entries, fake addresses, invalid photos, and bulk registrations.
Following these revelations, opposition parties have linked the Bihar SIR to a similar pattern of voter manipulation, suggesting that the revision exercise is neither transparent nor unbiased. They accuse the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling dispensation in an attempt to influence electoral outcomes, particularly in states where the INDIA bloc has a growing presence.
Inside Parliament, proceedings continue to be marred by disruptions, walkouts, and adjournments, especially in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, where opposition MPs have been relentlessly demanding a debate on the implications of the SIR. Except for discussions on Operation Sindoor, the monsoon session, which commenced on July 21, has seen minimal legislative progress due to the deadlock over the electoral revision controversy.
Opposition leaders argue that democratic norms are being compromised and voter rights jeopardized by what they describe as an “undemocratic and silent purge” of the voter rolls, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and opposition strongholds. They assert that without immediate intervention and open discussion, the very credibility of the electoral process in Bihar and potentially other states could come under serious threat.
As the standoff intensifies, pressure mounts on the Election Commission.
#StopSIR #SaveOurVote #ElectoralIntegrity #DemocracyUnderThreat #VoteNotTheft