124-Year-Old Voter Minta Devi Becomes Protest Symbol as INDIA Bloc MPs Target Election Commission

The image of "124-year-old voter" Minta Devi took centre stage in Parliament on Monday as opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc wore white T-shirts bearing her photograph to protest against the Election Commission (EC).

The unusual protest, held in the Parliament House complex, was aimed at highlighting alleged "vote chori" and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Minta Devi, featured prominently in Rahul Gandhi's August 7 presentation, has been listed as a first-time voter despite her age - a discrepancy the opposition says exposes serious flaws in the voter list.

Senior leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TMC's Derek O'Brien, DMK's TR Baalu, and NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule joined the demonstration, chanting slogans and carrying placards reading "Stop SIR" and "Silent Invisible Rigging."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the EC, led by Rajeev Kumar and Gyanesh Kumar, of functioning like a "BJP department." He claimed the existence of voters like Minta Devi reflects a broader pattern of manipulation to benefit the ruling party.

The EC launched the SIR process in Bihar on June 25, 2025, ahead of state elections, with updated rolls due by September 30.

Rahul Gandhi has also alleged large-scale "vote theft" in Karnataka's Mahadevapura constituency, claiming 1,00,250 votes were stolen, influencing BJP's election outcome.

The EC has not yet responded to the opposition's charges, as the controversy over Minta Devi's listing fuels a heated political battle over electoral credibility.