Opposition’s SIR Protest Moves from Parliament to Streets as Delhi Police Denies March Permission
New Delhi – August 11, 2025:
The political fight over Bihar’s Special Intensive Voter Revision (SIR) and alleged electoral irregularities is set to spill onto the streets today, as nearly 300 Members of Parliament from 25 parties in the INDIA alliance plan a mega march from Parliament House to the Election Commission office. The march, led by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, aims to protest alleged voter list manipulation and “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, Delhi Police sources have stated that no formal request for permission was submitted, and therefore no approval has been granted. In such a scenario, Opposition MPs may face police restrictions during the demonstration. A senior officer, speaking anonymously to Hindustan Times, confirmed the absence of any official application for the march.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission secretariat has responded to a letter from Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, agreeing to hold a meeting at 12:00 PM today. Due to space and parking limitations, the Commission has asked that no more than 30 representatives attend the discussion.
According to plans, the MPs intend to march via Transport Bhawan to the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi has directly accused the poll body of colluding with the BJP to manipulate votes in its favour. The decision to stage this march was taken last week at a dinner meeting at Gandhi’s residence, attended by leaders from across the INDIA alliance. MPs from both Houses are expected to participate.
Before the march, alliance leaders will hold a strategy meeting in the Opposition leader’s chamber in Parliament. Reports suggest they may also stage a protest inside the Parliament complex, similar to last week’s demonstration.
The march is scheduled to begin around 11:30 AM, with key leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee expected to join. The protest will highlight concerns over the ongoing SIR process in Bihar and alleged electoral fraud in the previous general election.