Opposition Leaders Protest Election Commission’s Roll Revision

On Friday, opposition leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc engaged in a symbolic protest against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The demonstration took place on the Parliament premises, marking the fifth day of ongoing protests by these political figures.

Key figures such as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav took part in the protest. They tore placards emblazoned with “SIR” and disposed of them in a dustbin, signifying their disapproval of the electoral revision process.

Accusations Against the Election Commission

Alongside the protest, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge voiced strong criticism of the ECI’s decision to implement SIR nationwide. In a post on the social media platform X, Kharge alleged that the initiative was politically motivated. He stated, “The Modi government wants to suppress the votes of the poor, Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the deprived.” He further claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) aimed to use the revision process as a means to disenfranchise marginalized groups.

Kharge added, “The RSS-BJP has always sought to deprive the weaker sections of society of their voting rights, and now, through the use of SIR, it is determined to fulfil its long-standing agenda.”

Details of the Special Intensive Revision

The Election Commission announced on June 24, 2023, its plan to commence a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across India. According to the official order, the initiative is part of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to maintain the integrity of electoral rolls. The Commission stated, “The Commission has now decided to begin the Special Intensive Revision in the entire country for the discharge of its constitutional mandate.”

During the protest, Kharge joined his fellow MPs from the INDIA bloc in a march from the Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises, demonstrating their collective opposition to the ECI’s actions. A video shared by Kharge on his X account captured the moment he tore a placard and disposed of it, further emphasizing the leaders’ stance against the electoral roll revision.

The ongoing protests reflect a deepening rift between the opposition and the ruling government over electoral processes and the perceived implications for democratic participation among vulnerable communities in India.