In a bold assertion of democratic values and electoral integrity, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is set to embark on his much-anticipated ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram today.

Framed as a clarion call against the alleged voter disenfranchisement under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and systematic vote theft, the 16-day Yatra aims to stir the conscience of the nation—beginning in Bihar, where the storm of discontent first began to brew.

Organised under the banner of the India Alliance, this ambitious march will see active participation from top leaders across the opposition spectrum, including senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The Yatra will culminate in a massive rally in Patna on September 1, marking what Congress calls a pivotal moment in the fight to “protect the soul of Indian democracy.”

‘Voter Right Yatra’ schedule:

1. August 17 – Sasaram, Rohtas (Yatra begins)
2. August 18 – Dev Road, Amba-Kundumba
3. August 19 – Hanuman Mandir, Poonam, Wazirganj
4. August 20 – Rest day
5. August 21 – Teen Mohani Durga Mandir, Sheikhpura
6. August 22 – Chandra Bagh Chowk, Munger
7. August 23 – Kursela Chowk, Barari, Katihar
8. August 24 – Khushkibaag, Katihar to Purnia
9. August 25 – Rest day
10. August 26 – Hussain Chowk, Supaul
11. August 27 – Gangwara Mahavir Sthan, Darbhanga
12. August 28 – Riga Road, Sitamarhi
13. August 29 – Harivatika Gandhi Chowk, Bettiah
14. August 30 – Ekma Chowk, Ekma Vidhan Sabha, Chhapra
15. August 31 – Rest day
16. September 1 – Grand finale rally in Patna

At a press briefing in Delhi’s Indira Bhawan, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera outlined the roadmap of the Yatra, asserting that it will cover 1,300 kilometers across Bihar, touching critical constituencies and rallying public support in areas where disenfranchisement allegations are most grave.

“This is not just a Yatra. It’s a people’s movement. The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ will be a milestone in the history of democracy,” Khera declared. “It is a protest against a deliberate conspiracy to erase the voice of the poor, Dalits, backward classes, tribals, minorities, and marginalised citizens.”

The Congress has sharply criticised the Election Commission’s role, alleging collusion with the ruling BJP to manipulate the voter rolls under the guise of the SIR process. Referring to a recent Supreme Court intervention, Khera stated that only after judicial pressure did the Election Commission agree to scrutinize the discrepancies raised by the opposition and civil society.

“This is not just vote theft—it’s identity theft,” Khera said. “It threatens to erase entire communities from the electoral process, jeopardising their access to government schemes and their stake in the democratic framework.”

This Yatra follows in the footsteps of Gandhi’s earlier mass mobilisation efforts like the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which left a lasting impact on the political discourse. Congress leaders believe that, once again, Rahul Gandhi is tapping into the pulse of the people, challenging authoritarian tendencies and reinforcing the foundational principle of universal suffrage.

– Ends

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