Protesting MPs Display Disapproval Through T-Shirt Demonstration Inside Parliament Grounds Against SIR Figurehead
In the heart of India's political landscape, a significant protest has been unfolding for the past 15 days. The opposition parties, led by the Congress, have been rallying against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in the eastern state of Bihar [1][2].
The crux of the opposition's concern revolves around the perceived rushed nature of the exercise and the stringent documentation requirements that could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly vulnerable groups such as minorities and those lacking essential documents like birth certificates, passports, or school matriculation records [1][2]. With Bihar having one of the lowest literacy rates in India, obtaining these documents is a challenging task for many residents. The opposition argues that this could disproportionately impact Muslims and other marginalized groups, effectively excluding them from voting ahead of key elections scheduled for November 2025 [1][2][3].
The protests, which have been centred near Parliament's Makar Dwar, have seen Congress MPs like Priyanka Gandhi, Gaurav Gogoi, and Mallikarjun Kharge leading the charge [1][2]. During these demonstrations, the MPs wore T-shirts bearing the name of a 124-year-old voter, Minta Devi, and carried banners that read "SIR - Silent Invisible Rigging" and "Our Vote. Our Right. Our Fight" [1][2].
The reference to Minta Devi, a voter in Daraundha Assembly constituency as per the electoral rolls, symbolizes concerns about the electoral roll's integrity and highlights the strenuous and possibly flawed updating process [1][2]. The opposition uses this example to argue that the revision process is problematic and raises questions about the reliability and fairness of the electoral roll update [1][2].
Congress' Manickam Tagore has accused the Election Commission under Rajeev Kumar and Gyanesh Kumar of becoming a department of the BJP [1]. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, during a press conference on August 7, mentioned Minta Devi and two other women over 100 years old [1].
The protests reached a peak on Monday when the opposition MPs were detained while trying to walk from Parliament's Makar Dwar to the EC office [1]. All the MPs were later released.
The Guinness Book of World Records states that the oldest living person is Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom, who is 115 years old [1]. The opposition parties' ongoing protest in the parliament complex is demanding a discussion in both houses of the parliament regarding the SIR of voter rolls in Bihar [1].
[1] The Indian Express [2] Hindustan Times [3] NDTV [4] The Times of India
- The ongoing protests led by the Congress party are a part of a broader political discourse, intertwining elements of policy-and-legislation, general news, and politics, as the party rallies against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, voicing concerns over potential voter disenfranchisement and biased updating processes.
- The heated debates in India's parliament complex, centered around the SIR of voter rolls in Bihar, exemplify the intricate relationship between the political landscape, policy-and-legislation, and general news, as the opposition parties demand discussions in both houses of the parliament, aiming to ensure fair and inclusive elections for all citizens.
