New Delhi, August 11, 2025 – A high-voltage political drama unfolded in the heart of the capital on Monday as top leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by Delhi Police during a massive protest march against alleged voter list manipulation in Bihar.
The demonstration, called to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, began at Makar Dwar of Parliament House, where opposition MPs sang the national anthem before marching toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters.
Protest Turns Confrontational at Transport Bhawan
The march, led by prominent leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, and several MPs from the Congress, TMC, DMK, RJD, and Left parties, was halted at Transport Bhawan by heavy police barricading.
Defying police orders to stop, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was seen dramatically jumping over a barricade, while TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Sushmita Dev joined Congress leaders Sanjana Jatav and Jothimani in climbing the barricades and raising slogans.
Placards reading “SIR+Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy” and “SIR – Loktantra Par Vaar” were held high by protesting MPs, along with posters asking “SIR par chuppi kyu?”. Many leaders accused the Election Commission of colluding with the central government to allegedly disenfranchise voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi: ‘This is a Fight to Save the Constitution’
Addressing the media before being detained, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi declared:
#WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "The reality is that they cannot talk. The truth is in front of the country. This fight is not political. This fight is to save the Constitution. This fight is for One Man, One Vote. We want a clean, pure voters… pic.twitter.com/Aj9TvCQs1L
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
“This fight is not political. It is to save the Constitution. It is about one man, one vote. We want a clean and pure voters’ list.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined in with slogans against the SIR exercise, while Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the police action and reiterated demands for a debate on the matter in Parliament.
Opposition Accuses EC of Bias
The INDIA bloc has accused the Special Intensive Revision of being a politically motivated move aimed at removing names of voters in Bihar who may support opposition parties. The Election Commission has denied the allegations, insisting that the SIR is a routine exercise to maintain updated and accurate electoral rolls.
The protests follow weeks of Parliamentary logjam since the Monsoon session began on July 21, with repeated adjournments and minimal legislative work. Apart from a brief discussion on Operation Sindoor, little progress has been made in both Houses due to disruptions over the SIR issue.
High-Profile Participation
Leaders present at the protest included T R Baalu (DMK), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT), Derek O’Brien (TMC), and several MPs from Left parties. The leaders wore white caps marked with a red cross over the words ‘SIR’ and ‘vote chori’, chanting slogans accusing the government of attacking democracy.
Political Temperatures Rising Ahead of Bihar Polls
With Bihar Assembly elections just months away, the SIR controversy has given opposition parties a rallying point. The INDIA bloc has vowed to continue street protests, disrupt Parliament proceedings, and directly confront the Election Commission until their demands are addressed.
As political tensions mount, the capital witnessed yet another day where the battle for “One Man, One Vote” took center stage—on the streets, in Parliament, and in the court of public opinion.