New Delhi, August 11, 2025: Police in New Delhi briefly detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several opposition figures on Monday during a march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters against the revised electoral roll in Bihar, which they allege facilitates “vote theft” by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The protest, involving around 300 opposition members, accused the ECI of disenfranchising poor and minority voters ahead of Bihar’s state elections later this year. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list — requiring proof of citizenship by July 25 — has removed 6.5 million names, according to the BBC, sparking fears of mass exclusion.
Gandhi, who was released after nearly two hours in custody, posted on X that the fight was “to protect democracy, the constitution, and the right to ‘one person, one vote’.” Other detained leaders included Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, T. R. Baalu, Sanjay Raut, and Derek O’Brien.
The BJP and the ECI have dismissed the allegations, saying revisions are essential to remove deceased voters and duplicates. The BJP accused the opposition of creating a “state of anarchy” to undermine the electoral process.
Congress has also demanded a meeting with the ECI to discuss the SIR and other election-related concerns.
