Bihar Bandh: Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav Lead Massive Protest Against Electoral Roll Revision

On July 9, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a protest in Patna against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. The protest was part of the 'Bihar bandh' called by the INDIA bloc. Alongside him were Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and other Mahagathbandhan leaders. They opposed the ongoing revision of electoral rolls.

During the protest, a significant number of opposition supporters took to the streets. They blocked traffic on Patna's Mahatma Gandhi Setu by burning tyres. This demonstration was aimed at expressing their discontent with the electoral roll revision process. The protestors demanded that their concerns be addressed by the authorities.

Concerns Over Electoral Roll Revision

Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram highlighted Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the protests. He stated that Gandhi has always been active in street protests whenever the nation faced challenges. "Whenever the country has faced a crisis, Rahul Gandhi has fought on the streets," said Mr. Ram, emphasising their fight for voting rights.

Rajesh Ram also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for revising electoral rolls before Bihar Assembly elections. He argued that such decisions should have been made before Lok Sabha elections, not now when assembly polls are approaching.

Disruption Across Bihar

Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, joined his supporters at Sachiwalay Halt railway station to disrupt railway traffic. His supporters blocked rail and road traffic in various parts of Patna and other districts like Araria, Purnea, Katihar, and Muzaffarpur.

Pappu Yadav accused the Election Commission of disenfranchising migrants, Dalits, Mahadalits, and poor voters through this special revision. He termed it a conspiracy to block votes ahead of upcoming Bihar assembly polls later this year.

Protests Spread Across Districts

In support of 'Bihar Bandh', workers from RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation and CPM burnt tyres and blocked roads in Arwal, Jehanabad and Darbhanga districts. A Congress worker declared their determination to continue until their demands are met: "We will keep doing this until the government accepts our demands."

The INDIA bloc leaders also obstructed roads at Maner Assembly stretch on National Highway 30 in Patna district. Similar disruptions occurred in Bhojpur (Ara), Jehanabad and other districts where protestors stalled traffic movement.

Tejashwi Yadav's Concerns

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed deep concerns over SIR's impact on voters without certain documents required for verification. He claimed those lacking any of 11 specified documents would be removed from electoral rolls.

"The worry is that we have had no clarity from the EC so far," said Mr. Yadav. He criticised Bihar EC for acting merely as a post office without authority to address opposition queries or people's concerns regarding document requirements.

The protests highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with electoral roll revisions among opposition parties in Bihar ahead of assembly elections later this year.