India Bloc Protests: ‘Minta Devi’ Voter, 124 Years Old – Latest News
INDIA Bloc Protests Alleged Voter Fraud with ‘124-Year-Old’ Voter as Symbol
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Opposition parties, united under the INDIA bloc, staged a protest in front of Parliament, donning T-shirts featuring the name “Minta Devi,” a woman listed in a recent Bihar voter draft as being 124 years old. The protest highlights concerns over alleged irregularities and potential fraud in the electoral process, particularly regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Rahul Gandhi Raises Concerns, Sparks Outrage
The issue was brought to the forefront by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who pointed out the anomaly of Minta Devi’s age during a recent presentation. He emphasized that the listed age - 124 – exceeds the verified age of the world’s oldest living person by nine years,raising serious questions about the accuracy and integrity of the voter rolls.
“The level of ECI’s failure can be understood,” stated Congress MP Manickam Tagore.”The ECI under rajiv Kumar, Gyanesh Kumar has become a department of the BJP. They have completely failed. Such as, Mita Devi is a first-time voter, but 124 years old. We wont a discussion on this subject.” Tagore further alleged that the Bihar draft voter list contains “fake names” and is a “fake voter list,” framing the protest as an effort to expose these alleged discrepancies.
Parliament Disrupted,Protests Escalate
The protest at Parliament’s Makar Dwar included prominent opposition leaders such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge,Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi,TMC’s Derek O’Brien,DMK’s TR Baalu,and NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule. This presentation follows Monday’s events where Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and several other INDIA bloc MPs were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the Election Commission (EC) office to voice their concerns.
The ongoing dispute over the SIR issue has significantly disrupted parliamentary proceedings. Opposition parties are demanding a thorough examination into the alleged irregularities and seeking assurances from the Election Commission regarding the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
What is the Special intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process undertaken by the Election commission of india to update voter lists,ensuring they are accurate and reflect the current electorate. This typically involves verifying existing data, adding new eligible voters, and removing deceased or ineligible voters. However, the INDIA bloc alleges that the recent SIR in Bihar has been flawed, leading to the inclusion of dubious entries like Minta Devi’s and raising fears of manipulation.
Concerns Over Electoral Integrity
The INDIA bloc’s protest underscores growing anxieties about the integrity of India’s electoral system. The focus on Minta Devi’s case serves as a potent symbol of these concerns, highlighting the potential for fraudulent entries and the need for robust verification mechanisms. Opposition parties are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission to safeguard the democratic process and ensure fair elections. The situation remains fluid, with further protests and parliamentary disruptions anticipated as the INDIA bloc continues to press for a resolution to the alleged voter fraud issue.