Why Are Protests and Blockades Shaking Bihar? Rahul Gandhi Joins the Movement in Patna

Patna, July 9 (NationPress) Bihar is currently witnessing extensive protests and blockades as the Mahagathbandhan rallies against the revision of the voter list in the state.

The opposition alliance's call for a Bihar bandh has led to significant disruptions, affecting vehicular traffic across various regions.

In Muzaffarpur, RJD activists obstructed Zero Mile Chowk, halting traffic on key routes connecting Muzaffarpur with Darbhanga and Motihari.

RJD student leader Chandan Kumar remarked that the bandh's goal is to defend the fundamental rights of Bihar's citizens.

Meanwhile, in Purnea, there was a noticeable decline in traffic, with police presence heightened at essential intersections to uphold order during the bandh.

In Darbhanga, RJD leaders halted the Namo Bharat train at Darbhanga Junction, demanding a reversal of the voter list revision.

RJD leader Premchandra, also known as Bholu Yadav, accused the revision of being designed to deprive marginalized sections of their voting rights.

Protesters burned tires and blocked roads, chanting slogans such as “Vote Bandi will not work” and “Down with the anti-poor government.”

RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan from Mahua confirmed that essential services like ambulances and school buses were exempted during the bandh.

In Jehanabad, activists from the RJD student wing blocked railway tracks at Jehanabad station, disrupting train services for several hours while protesting against the central government and the Election Commission.

Security forces are closely monitoring the route from Income Tax Golambar to the Election Commission office near the Bihar Assembly, as Mahagathbandhan supporters plan to march through restricted areas.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Patna on Wednesday morning to participate in the Bihar Bandh organized by the Grand Alliance against the voter list revision.

During his brief visit, Gandhi, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, will march to the State Election Commission's office to present their demands.

The Bihar Bandh has garnered support from various organizations, including Imarat-e-Sharia, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Majlis-e-Ulama Khutba Imamiya Bihar, and Muslim Majlis-e-Mashawarat, which have all declared their full backing for the bandh, viewing the voter list revision as an assault on constitutional rights.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) began an intensive voter list revision in Bihar on June 24, requiring voters to fill out forms with specific documents for identity verification.

Opposition parties assert that this process could disenfranchise migrants, Dalits, Mahadalits, and the economically disadvantaged, branding it a conspiracy to limit voting rights ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled in three months.

This marks Gandhi's seventh visit to Bihar in six months, emphasizing the Congress party's focus on the state in anticipation of the upcoming polls.

The Grand Alliance is framing the bandh as a “movement to safeguard democracy,” while the ruling NDA has dismissed it as mere “political drama.”