The INDIA Bloc is launching its ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ across Bihar, beginning its march against what it calls unfair changes to the state’s voter lists. This significant protest aims to challenge the recent revisions of electoral rolls, which the opposition alliance claims could illegally remove millions of eligible voters, especially from marginalized communities. Leaders across the Bloc emphasize that these actions threaten the fundamental right to vote and undermine fair elections. The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is a direct and forceful response, signaling the opposition’s commitment to protecting democratic principles and ensuring every citizen’s ballot is counted in the upcoming polls.
About the Planned Journey
The INDIA bloc is set to begin a major public awareness journey, known as the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra,’ across the state of Bihar. This journey is organized to protest against what the bloc calls problems in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The aim is to turn the concerns about “vote theft” into a widespread public movement. The journey is planned to start on August 17, 2025, from Sasaram. It will last for two weeks and cover 23 districts and 50 assembly areas within Bihar. The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ will finish with a big gathering at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 1. This public effort shows the opposition’s strong stand against the ongoing changes to the voter lists. Leaders from the INDIA bloc say this campaign is part of a larger fight to protect democracy and ensure that all people can use their right to vote without problems. The Congress party has shared the full plan for the journey. preparations are actively going on, especially in Sasaram, the starting point.
Reasons for the Concern
The main reason for the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ is the opposition’s concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. The INDIA bloc claims that this revision is not fair and is designed to change voter details before the upcoming elections. They call it “silent invisible rigging,” meaning a hidden way to unfairly influence the election. The opposition leaders say that a very large number of names have been removed from the voter lists. They also point to cases where people living outside Bihar have had their names taken off, or where needed documents for some voters are missing. There are claims that about 65 lakh (6. 5 million) voters have been removed without proper checks or chances for them to show their documents. One case that has drawn much attention is that of Minta Devi from Siwan district. She is a 35-year-old woman who was listed as 124 years old and a first-time voter on the draft list. The district government later said this was a simple mistake made during the online application process and has been fixed. Another similar case involved Mantruria Devi, listed as 119 years old. The opposition also highlights that the process of revision needs strict documents like birth certificates, passports. school records. They say these documents are hard to get for many people in Bihar, especially for vulnerable groups and minority communities. This could lead to many eligible people losing their right to vote. The widely used Aadhaar card is not accepted as proof of citizenship for this voter list revision, which the opposition finds concerning. They argue that the Election Commission’s actions could lead to many people being unable to vote in the Bihar Assembly elections, which are expected to happen later this year.
Statements from Alliance Leaders
Leaders from the INDIA bloc have spoken strongly about the voter list revision in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi, a key leader, has said that this fight is not about politics but about protecting the country’s basic rules. He has stated that the revision of voter lists in Bihar is like an “organized theft” designed to stop poor people from voting. Many essential figures from the INDIA bloc, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Derek O’Brien, T. R. Baalu. Supriya Sule, have taken part in protests. These protests have included wearing special T-shirts with slogans to highlight the alleged problems. Tejashwi Pratap Yadav, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has said that their concern is not with the idea of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) itself. with how it is being carried out. He has claimed that many voters’ names are being deleted and has accused the ruling party of trying to influence the Election Commission to achieve what it cannot do on its own. K. C. Venugopal, a Congress general secretary, has stated that the campaign will take the fight for the right to vote directly “to the streets.” He also said that the whole INDIA bloc is united on this matter.
Election Commission’s Actions and View
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given instructions for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. The starting date for eligibility for this revision was July 1, 2025. The Election Commission’s main goals for this revision are to make sure that all people who can vote are on the list, that no one who should not vote is on the list. that the whole process of adding or removing names is clear and open. The Commission has stated that officials called Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are going from house to house to check insights as part of this revision. The Election Commission has defended its actions, saying that it has followed all necessary rules and laws. It has also said that large group objections from political parties about the voter lists could not be processed because they did not follow the proper rules for making such objections. Instead, these objections are being treated as general complaints and are being checked. The Election Commission has pointed out that no official claims or objections have been filed by any recognized national or state political party, even though the draft voter list was put out on August 1. But, many individual voters have filed their own complaints or requests. The Election Commission has also made it clear that no eligible person will be left out of the final voter lists. The Supreme Court has also looked at the Special Intensive Revision process. The Court noted that the SIR is a matter involving the Election Commission’s power over elections and the basic right of citizens to vote. The Court also observed that the SIR seemed “voter-friendly” because it has increased the number of acceptable documents for identity proof from seven to eleven, giving voters more options. But, the Court also said that Aadhaar cards are not considered full proof of citizenship for this process, as per the Election Commission’s stand. The Election Commission has defended the SIR as a lawful exercise to clean up the voter list by removing names of people who have died or moved away. It has also promised that no name will be removed from the draft voter list without giving proper notice, a chance for the person to be heard. a written reason for the decision. The Union Home Minister has also stated that the opposition is against the SIR because it removes names of “infiltrators” from the lists, arguing that such people have no right to vote.
What Lies Ahead
The ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ will continue its journey across Bihar from August 17 until September 1. The journey will have a break on August 20 and August 31. After starting in Sasaram, the yatra will visit many districts. For example, it will be in Aurangabad on August 18, Gaya and Nawada on August 19, Lakhisarai and Sheikhpura on August 21, Munger and Bhagalpur on August 22, Katihar on August 23. Purnea and Araria on August 24. After a short break, the yatra will continue from Supaul on August 26, then Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur on August 27, Sitamarhi and Motihari on August 28, Betiah, Gopalganj. Siwan on August 29. Chhapra and Ara on August 30. The journey will end with a large rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. Beyond the yatra, the INDIA bloc has also stated that a signature campaign will be carried out between September 15 and October 15 to help save the right to vote and ensure people’s participation. These actions are taking place ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, which are set to happen later this year, most likely in October or November. The issue of electoral roll revision has already caused much discussion and protests in Parliament, leading to disruptions in both houses since the Monsoon session began on July 21. The opposition has asked for a full discussion on this matter in Parliament. This ongoing situation shows the importance of the voter list revision and its possible effects on the upcoming elections in Bihar. 
