Sonia Gandhi, Opposition MPs protest Bihar voter list revision.
In a powerful show of unity, Sonia Gandhi stood alongside Opposition MPs, voicing deep concerns over the Bihar voter list revision. Emotions ran high as they gathered with banners boldly declaring, “Discussion not deletion” and “SIR – Silent Invisible Rigging.” The message was clear — democracy thrives on dialogue, not suppression. With determined eyes, firm stances, and voices rising in unison, the protest carried a human touch of defiance, urgency, empathy, solidarity, and unwavering hope for justice.
Protest Heats Up Over Bihar Voter List: Sonia Gandhi, INDIA Bloc MPs Demand Rollback of SIR
Sonia Gandhi, rallied in protest against the Election Commission’s ongoing revision of the voters list in Bihar ahead of the state Assembly elections.
In a rare display of unity and resilience, Opposition MPs gathered near Parliament’s Makar Dwar, raising slogans and holding aloft striking banners that read, “Discussion not deletion” and “SIR – Silent Invisible Rigging”. Their message was unmistakable: the democratic process must not be quietly distorted under the guise of procedural revisions.
Among the prominent faces at the protest were Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party’s Dharmendra Yadav, Trinamool Congress’s Sagarika Ghose, along with several others from the INDIA alliance — all.
**Empathy on Display**While the slogans were fiery, the atmosphere was not merely political — it was deeply personal. Many MPs spoke to reporters with visible emotion, echoing concerns they claimed to have heard from voters back home.
“People are scared,” said a visibly moved TMC MP. “Entire families have found their names missing from draft lists. This isn’t just about politics; this is about their right to vote — a right many fought hard to get.”
The human cost of disenfranchisement was brought to the forefront, not through statistics, but through stories — of daily-wage workers who might be turned away at polling booths, of women who found their names mysteriously dropped, and of elderly citizens for whom voting is a lifelong ritual now threatened by bureaucratic oversight.
**Twelve Days of Determination**This consistency, MPs said, reflects the seriousness of the issue and their unwillingness to let it be buried under legislative routine.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the gathering briefly, asserting, “This isn’t a clerical error. This is a calculated move.
The atmosphere, though charged, was peaceful — filled with chants calling for electoral justice and adorned with posters that demanded transparency in the revision process.
**Defiance in the Face of Silence**What has particularly irked the protesting MPs is the Election Commission’s silence on calls for accountability and clarity. Despite repeated letters, parliamentary questions, and floor interventions, the Commission has not publicly clarified the methodology behind the SIR or addressed allegations of mass deletions in traditionally Opposition-leaning constituencies.
“Why now? Why Bihar? Why without consultation?” asked Samajwadi MP Dharmendra Yadav. “We are not against revision. We are against revision done in secrecy and with motive.”
While Parliament has briefly taken up Operation Sindoor in both Houses, most legislative business has ground to a halt as Opposition MPs demand dedicated time to discuss the voter list revision.
**Solidarity Across Parties**MPs from Congress, TMC, SP, DMK, CPI(M), RJD, and AAP stood shoulder to shoulder — their differences eclipsed by a shared cause.
A senior RJD MP said, “We might debate everything else, but we will not debate on the right to vote. That is non-negotiable.”
Even junior MPs and first-timers joined in — many holding placards, some recording the protest for social media, and others reading aloud articles from the Constitution that enshrine universal suffrage. For them, the protest seemed to be not only a political stand but a civic lesson in real-time.
**A Moral Battle, Not Just Political**Perhaps the most moving element of the protest was its moral undertone. “This is not just about Bihar,” Sonia Gandhi reportedly told a group of MPs. “It is about preserving the sanctity of the ballot — for every Indian.”
She remained largely silent during the protest itself, standing quietly but resolutely with her colleagues. Her presence, however, lent gravity to the moment — a reminder that the right to vote is foundational, and its erosion, however technical it may appear, strikes at the heart of democracy.
One of them, holding up a copy of the Constitution, said, “This is why we need Parliament — not just to pass laws, but to protect our rights.”
**What Lies Ahead**With barely any business transacted in Parliament and pressure mounting from civil society and rights groups, the government faces a tough choice — allow a full-fledged discussion on the SIR in both Houses, or risk further erosion of parliamentary functioning.
Opposition leaders have indicated they are preparing for a nationwide campaign if the issue is not addressed before the session ends.
For now, the protest continues. So does the hope — that amidst slogans, banners, and silence from the authorities, the voter’s voice will still be heard.