Opposition MPs stopped from marching to EC office
New Delhi. Aug 11: Chaos broke out during the INDIA bloc’s protest march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters on Monday, as Delhi Police stopped the leaders near Parliament. The march was organised against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged voter fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained, while Akhilesh Yadav was seen jumping over a barricade. One MP fainted during the standoff. Several other opposition leaders were also taken into custody, but later released.
The MPs began their march from Makar Dwar in Parliament towards Nirvachan Sadan via Transport Bhawan but were blocked by police barricades on Parliament Street. As they were stopped, several sat on the road, raised slogans, and carried placards and banners accusing the ECI of collusion with the government. National media and news agencies reported that many wore white caps with a red cross over the words ‘SIR’ and ‘vote chori’. Some MPs climbed the barricades.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also joined the protest, targeting the ECI over what the opposition has widely termed “vote chori”, allegations of vote manipulation and flaws in voter lists. In a post on X, he criticised the poll body for “evasive” responses. He said it was in the Commission’s own interest to dispel doubts over the credibility of the electoral process. He said the flaws raised by the opposition could be addressed easily, and the nation “is entitled to a response” that could allay fears of manipulation.
Police said no prior permission had been sought for the march and deployed heavy security to prevent the protesters from reaching the ECI office. The demonstration featured banners declaring “SIR + Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy” and “SIR – Loktantra Par Vaar”.
The protest came after the ECI told the Supreme Court there was no legal provision to publish a separate list of excluded voters or reasons for their exclusion. Opposition leaders have accused the ECI of attempting to conceal irregularities, pointing to the deletion of 65 lakh names from Bihar’s draft electoral roll. Earlier in the day, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha saw repeated disruptions over the SIR issue, forcing adjournments. The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the matter, alleging the exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters ahead of the Bihar assembly elections later this year. The Monsoon session has been repeatedly disrupted since July 21, with minimal legislative business apart from discussions on Operation Sindoor.
