Synopsis: SIR row intensifies as Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission and BJP of deleting millions of opposition voters in Bihar, with Tejashwi Yadav backing the charge.
By Dr. Mohammad Farooque | Qalam Times News Network | Patna, August 25, 2025
SIR at the Centre of Political Storm
SIR has become the latest flashpoint in Bihar politics after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission and the BJP of colluding to erase opposition votes. Speaking during his ongoing “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in Araria on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi questioned why the BJP has never raised complaints against SIR, while lakhs of names belonging to poor, Dalits, backward classes, minorities, farmers, and workers have been removed from the electoral rolls.
Rahul’s Allegations Against Election Commission
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the SIR process is nothing but an institutional tool for voter theft. He claimed that nearly 6.5 million names have been struck off the rolls in Bihar under the exercise. “I have met thousands of people during this yatra whose names were deleted without justification,” Rahul said, adding, “Yet the BJP has not filed a single complaint because their voters remain untouched. This proves that the Election Commission and BJP are working hand in glove.”
Rahul also referred to Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency, where he alleged that one lakh fake voters were added. “When I raised the issue, the Election Commission demanded an affidavit from me during my press conference itself. But when BJP’s Anurag Thakur made the same claims, the EC remained silent. This exposes the bias,” he said.
Opposition Unity Over SIR
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav stood firmly with Rahul Gandhi, stating, “Rahul ji is absolutely right. The Election Commission is misusing SIR to help BJP erase opposition voters. This is happening with the consent of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.” CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and VIP leader Mukesh Sahani also joined the chorus, terming SIR a direct attack on democracy.
Sahani said, “We are fighting for the right to vote of the poor and backward classes. In independent India, the power of the vote is our only real strength. If that is taken away, democracy collapses.”
SIR Sparks Legal and Political Tension
The controversy over SIR erupted soon after the Election Commission launched the process, claiming it was aimed at cleaning up voter rolls. However, opposition parties allege it is being weaponized to disenfranchise marginalized sections. Reports suggest that more than 6.5 million names have already been deleted in Bihar’s draft electoral list.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that those whose names were deleted could reapply with Aadhaar or supporting documents, but it criticized the short deadline of September 1. The judgment has further fueled the debate, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and the integrity of India’s democratic process.
As Rahul Gandhi continues his yatra, the political battle over SIR promises to dominate Bihar’s political landscape in the weeks ahead.
