Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched the Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra, officially called the Voter Adhikar Yatra, from Sasaram in Bihar. The campaign, which began on August 17, 2025, is designed to raise awareness about people’s right to vote and to highlight alleged voter list irregularities ahead of the upcoming Bihar elections.
The Yatra will continue for 16 days, covering 1,300 kilometers across 20 districts, before concluding with a massive rally at Gandhi Maidan, Patna on September 1.
Why Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra Matters
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party claim that the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has unfairly removed 65 lakh names from Bihar’s voter list. According to the opposition, many of those deleted belong to marginalized communities, migrant workers, and poor families.
Calling it “vote chori” (vote theft), Gandhi says the Yatra is about protecting the principle of “one person, one vote” and safeguarding democracy.
Route and Schedule of the Yatra
The Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra is not just a march but a people’s movement, with roadshows, rallies, and public meetings planned across Bihar.
Highlights of the route include:
- August 17: Launch rally in Sasaram, followed by a roadshow in Dehri-on-Sone.
- August 18–19: Public events in Aurangabad and Wazirganj.
- August 21–22: Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Munger rallies.
- August 23–24: Katihar and Purnia gatherings.
- August 26–28: Supaul, Darbhanga, and Sitamarhi programs.
- August 29–30: Bettiah and Chapra roadshows.
- September 1: Closing mega rally in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.
Opposition Unity on Display
The Yatra began with strong opposition presence. RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav joined Rahul Gandhi in Sasaram, showing the alliance’s united front against the ruling BJP.
Tejashwi Yadav declared that the Bihar Yatra is about saving democracy and giving every citizen a voice. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also addressed the crowd, accusing the BJP of weakening democratic institutions.
Reactions from the Government
Not everyone agrees with the movement. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary dismissed the Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra as a political gimmick, claiming the opposition is afraid of losing the elections. JD(U) spokespersons also criticized the campaign, calling it an attempt to create unrest.
The Election Commission, on its part, defended the SIR process, stating that revisions are routine and open to objections.
Why It Matters in 2025
The Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra is more than just a political march. It highlights larger questions about:
- Fair Voting Rights: Ensuring no citizen is unfairly deleted from the voter list.
- Digital Democracy: At a time when technology is reshaping elections, transparency in voter databases is vital.
- Grassroots Politics: By walking through villages and towns, Rahul Gandhi is trying to reconnect directly with people.
Conclusion: More Than Politics
The Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra is both a political and symbolic movement. It focuses on the heart of democracy—voting rights. As Bihar heads into elections, this march is likely to set the tone for debates on electoral fairness, opposition unity, and people’s participation.
READ MORE : https://newsly.co.in/eci-rebuts-vote-chori-charges-dares-rahul-gandhi-to-prove/\
