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Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leaders Detained in Delhi Over Bihar Voter Roll Protest
Delhi police detain Rahul Gandhi & other opposition leaders protesting Bihar’s new voter roll rules, which critics say risk disenfranchising minorities. “This fight is to protect democracy,” says Gandhi.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-11
Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leaders Detained in Delhi Over Bihar Voter Roll Protest

New Delhi police detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several senior opposition figures on Monday as they marched in protest against a controversial electoral roll revision in Bihar, which critics warn could strip minorities of their voting rights.

The protest, organized by opposition MPs, came after Bihar announced in June a Special Intensive Revision of its voter rolls ahead of the upcoming state elections. The revision requires all voters to present proof of citizenship by July 25 — a move that sparked nationwide concern due to the short timeline and the risk of disenfranchising communities unable to meet the requirement in time.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the opposition leaders began marching from Parliament to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi but were stopped halfway and taken into custody. Protestors carried placards accusing the ECI of “vote theft” and chanted slogans demanding a clean and transparent electoral process.

Rahul Gandhi, in a statement posted to X after his detention, declared: “The truth of vote theft is now before the country. This fight is not political — it is a fight to protect democracy, the constitution, and the right to ‘one person, one vote.’”

Other prominent figures detained included Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, T. R. Baalu of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress. Lawmakers from the Rashtriya Janata Dal were also among those held.

Opposition leaders have repeatedly condemned the Bihar voter roll changes, claiming they are a targeted attempt to disenfranchise certain groups ahead of the September elections. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh previously wrote to the ECI urging discussions over the revision process and warning against its potential rollout in other states.

“We look forward to meeting with the Commission, which will be in keeping with the highest tradition of our parliamentary democracy,” Ramesh said in his letter, emphasizing the opposition’s demand for electoral transparency and fairness.

The ECI has yet to issue a statement responding to the protests or the opposition’s concerns.

 
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