Rahul Gandhi begins a crucial ‘Voters’ Rights’ Yatra across Bihar on August 17, directly engaging citizens on the fundamental importance of their ballot. This extensive foot march, starting from Sasaram, aims to empower voters and address concerns about fair electoral processes ahead of upcoming significant elections, specifically targeting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Traversing key regions, including 30 districts, Gandhi’s initiative seeks to connect with common people, highlighting their central role in shaping the nation’s future and ensuring every voice is heard. The yatra underscores the Congress party’s push to mobilize support and emphasize democratic principles on the ground as the political landscape intensifies, making a strong statement about protecting the Constitution and the principle of ‘one man, one vote’.
Understanding the Journey
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is set to start a significant political journey across Bihar. This journey, named the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra,’ which means ‘Voters’ Rights Journey,’ is planned to begin on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The starting point for this 16-day long walk will be Sasaram in Bihar.
The journey is expected to cover a large part of the state, aiming to reach many citizens. It will follow a route similar to Mr. Gandhi’s previous ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ touching upon various districts. The planned path includes essential areas such as Gaya, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga. Pashchim Champaran. The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is scheduled to finish on August 30 in Arrah. After the walk concludes, a large public gathering, called a ‘Mega Voter Adhikar Rally,’ is planned for September 1 in Patna at Gandhi Maidan. This rally is expected to gather many people and send a strong message about the issues being raised during the journey.
This event is a key part of the Congress party’s wider efforts, especially as Bihar prepares for its Assembly elections later this year, expected in October or November 2025. The yatra is not just a standalone event but is part of a series of planned activities by the Congress and its allies, known as the INDIA bloc, to engage with voters across the state.
Why This Walk Is Happening
The main reason behind the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is to protest against what the Congress party and its allies call unfair practices in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. The party has stated that this revision process has led to many problems, including the removal of names of eligible voters from the lists. Reports suggest that more than 65 lakh, or 6. 5 million, names have been removed from the voter lists in Bihar due to this process.
Mr. Gandhi and other leaders have pointed out specific issues. For example, some living people have been wrongly listed as dead in the voter rolls. There are also concerns about people having their names listed multiple times, which can lead to confusion and unfair voting practices. The Congress has said that such issues affect the basic right of citizens to vote and challenge the fairness of elections.
The party sees this as a serious matter that goes beyond just an election issue. Mr. Gandhi has called it a “decisive battle” to protect democracy, the country’s Constitution. the vital idea of ‘one person, one vote.’ The aim is to make sure that voter lists are clean and accurate across the entire country.
This journey also comes at a time when political parties are actively campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. The opposition parties, including the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, are focusing on voter concerns to gain support. The alleged issues with the voter list have become a major talking point in the state’s political discussions.
The Purpose of the Journey
The primary goal of the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is to raise public awareness about the alleged problems with the voter lists and to unite citizens in demanding fair electoral practices. Mr. Gandhi has urged different groups of people, including young adults, workers, farmers. all other citizens, to join this public movement. The campaign is specifically looking to engage young voters between 18 and 29 years old, who make up about 40 percent of the total voters in Bihar. Party insiders believe that these young people have been greatly affected by the changes in the voter lists and are looking for solutions.
Beyond raising awareness, the yatra aims to put pressure on the Election Commission to address the reported problems. The Congress party has been vocal in demanding transparency and accuracy in maintaining voter rolls. The party’s general secretary (organisation), K. C. Venugopal, has held meetings with leaders from other parties in the INDIA bloc to prepare for this journey and ensure smooth coordination. This shows a united front by the opposition parties on this issue.
The yatra is also part of a larger, nationwide campaign by the Congress. This includes a candlelight march that was held on August 14 in all districts. There will also be ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’ (Vote thief, vacate the seat) rallies in all states between August 22 and September 7. Following these, a month-long national signature campaign is planned from September 15 to collect five crore, or 50 million, signatures to further highlight the issue of voters’ rights. These actions collectively show the party’s dedication to making sure every eligible citizen can vote without problems.
Voices from All Sides
The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ has brought forward different views from political groups and election authorities. From the Congress party’s side, Mr. Gandhi has made it clear that the goal is to fight directly against what he calls “vote theft.” He has stressed that this is a fight for the basic principles of democracy and the Constitution. Other Congress leaders have also supported this view, saying that the integrity of the voting process is at stake.
Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a key ally in the INDIA bloc, have also voiced strong support for the yatra. RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has stated that it is “ironical” that people in Bihar are fighting to protect their right to vote while the country celebrates Independence Day. Mr. Yadav has also claimed that names of living people were removed from voter lists, while some ruling party members allegedly have more than one voter identification card. He is expected to join Mr. Gandhi, along with other senior leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, at the yatra’s launch event.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been conducting its own activities related to voter lists in Bihar. Earlier in June 2025, an ECI team reviewed voter awareness campaigns in Patna for the upcoming Assembly elections. The ECI has also conducted special campaigns across Bihar from August 1 to September 1, 2025, to enroll young voters and ensure all eligible electors are included. They have stated that a house-to-house verification drive was conducted from June 25 to July 26. a draft voter list was published on August 1. Citizens can file claims or objections until September 1.
The ECI has also emphasized new electoral reforms and voter-centric initiatives. They aim to boost voter participation, especially in areas with low turnout. But, the Congress party has highlighted that the Election Commission previously asked Mr. Gandhi for a signed declaration about his claims of electoral fraud or an apology. This shows a clear difference in how the political parties and the election body view the situation.
What Happens Next
The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is set to be a major event in Bihar’s political landscape leading up to the Assembly elections scheduled for later in 2025. The yatra is expected to give a significant boost to the campaign of the INDIA bloc. By focusing on voters’ rights and alleged issues with the electoral rolls, the Congress and its allies aim to gain public support and challenge the ruling alliance.
The journey will test the ability of the opposition to unite on a common issue and mobilize voters across different regions of Bihar. The emphasis on the youth vote is also a strategic move, as young people form a large part of the electorate and are seen as being greatly affected by concerns like jobs and fair governance. The success of the yatra could influence voter behavior and the political discussions in the state.
Following the yatra, the planned ‘Mega Voter Adhikar Rally’ in Patna on September 1 will be a key moment to see the level of public engagement and the strength of the opposition’s message. The broader nationwide campaign, including rallies and a signature drive, suggests that the issue of voters’ rights will remain a central theme for the Congress party beyond Bihar. How the Election Commission responds to the concerns raised and how these issues are addressed will be closely watched by citizens and political observers alike.
