Is the 'Bihar Bandh' a Call to Save Democracy by Opposition Leaders?

New Delhi, July 9 (NationPress) The Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Opposition, announced a statewide 'Bihar Bandh' on Wednesday, labeling it a crucial step to protect democracy. The protest arises from concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India (ECI) just prior to the Assembly elections in Bihar.

This bandh saw significant involvement from alliance leaders, party activists, and supporters throughout Bihar, with reports of sit-ins, rallies, and interruptions of rail services in various districts.

Led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and other coalition members, the protest aims to stop the current voter list verification process, which the Opposition believes could disenfranchise voters from marginalized groups.

Concerns have been raised about the requirement for 78 million voters to prove their citizenship in a very short timeframe. In Bihar, where poverty and low education levels hinder documentation awareness, nearly 30 million voters may be required to supply 11 documents, instead of the more commonly held ration cards, Aadhaar cards, or voter IDs.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, joined the protest in Patna, participating in a rally alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and other senior figures, including a symbolic gherao of the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in the state capital.

Describing the protest as a “historic moment,” senior RJD leader Ram Chandra Purve declared, "To protect democracy, we in Bihar, along with Mahagathbandhan leaders, stand united... This 'Bihar Bandh' is pivotal. The Election Commission must retract the voter list modification initiative."

Another RJD leader, Mithilesh Das, suggested that political motivations underlie the ECI's actions, saying, "The BJP fears a loss of power in the 2025 Bihar elections, and in collusion with the Election Commission, a scheme has been devised to deny lower-income voters their voting rights."

Subhash Yadav, also from the RJD, questioned the timing of the revision process, remarking, "The public understands the situation; however, we are campaigning against voter list verification. A similar event took place in 2003 and lasted three years. Why is it occurring only during the election period?"

Congress activists heightened the protests by halting the Balurghat–Bhatinda Farakka Express at Ara Railway Station.

Following LoP Gandhi's involvement, Congress leader Upendra Kumar Singh stated, "What’s significant is that each party is conducting its own activities. RJD members protested here earlier. The Congress has consistently been proactive, and we take pride in strongly supporting Rahul Gandhi."

The Mahagathbandhan accuses the BJP and ECI of manipulating the electoral system through administrative measures. While the Election Commission maintains that the revision exercise is standard and lawful, the Opposition insists it be stopped immediately.