Opposition Protest Against SIR: High-Voltage Drama on Parliament Street as INDIA Bloc Leaders Detained Over Voter Fraud Allegations

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New Delhi — Senior opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, were detained by Delhi Police on 11 August,2025 as protests against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged “collusion” with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spilled onto the streets of central Delhi.

The Opposition protest against SIR, organised by the INDIA bloc, aimed to highlight allegations of voter fraud in recent elections, including the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The march was planned from Parliament’s Makar Dwar to the ECI headquarters on Ashoka Road, but police blockades halted demonstrators less than two kilometres from their destination.

Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Purohit confirmed the detention of leaders, while Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar Mahla stated that only 30 MPs had been granted permission to march, but over 200 participated. “We stopped them to prevent any breakdown of law-and-order… Some MPs tried jumping barricades, they were also detained,” Mahla said.

Visuals from the scene showed MPs and party workers waving placards, shouting slogans, and attempting to cross police barricades. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was seen climbing over barricades. The Trinamool Congress reported that two of its MPs, including Mahua Moitra, fainted during the protest.

Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters before being taken away, said, “This fight is not political… it is to save the Constitution. The fight is for ‘one person, one vote’.” He has repeatedly accused the ECI of manipulating voter rolls to favour the BJP, citing discrepancies in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar.

Last week, Gandhi alleged that over 100,000 votes were “stolen” in the Mahadevapura assembly segment of Karnataka’s Bangalore Central constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The ECI has rejected these claims, calling them “incorrect” and asking Gandhi to submit proof under oath.

The opposition has also objected to the SIR in Bihar, arguing that it could disenfranchise voters from communities that traditionally support non-BJP parties. The matter is currently under Supreme Court scrutiny, with the court allowing the process to continue but directing the ECI to ensure legitimate voters are not excluded.

Monday’s demonstration also saw participation from Aam Aadmi Party MPs, despite the party’s recent exit from the INDIA bloc. Leaders from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, Left parties, NCP (Sharad Pawar), RJD, and National Conference joined the march.

Separately, Congress workers across India staged protests condemning a BJP social media post depicting Rahul Gandhi as the mythological demon king Ravan. Party leaders, including KC Venugopal, accused the BJP of resorting to “dangerous actions” out of fear of Gandhi’s growing popularity.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned until 2 p.m. following the disruption. The ECI has maintained that its processes are transparent and has accused the Congress of attempting to “mislead” the public. The BJP has criticised Gandhi for “maligning a constitutional body” without evidence. [Rh/VP]

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