With just months to go before the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, tensions have escalated in the state as the opposition’s Mahagathbandhan alliance announced a full-fledged Bihar Bandh (statewide shutdown) in protest against the ongoing voter list revision process, which they have termed as unconstitutional and manipulative.

Major cities across Bihar, including Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and others, witnessed large-scale protests, road blockades, and disruption of public transport as Mahagathbandhan leaders and supporters took to the streets. In Patna, a major protest march was led by Tejashwi Yadav and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, triggering tight police security and traffic disruptions in the capital.

What Triggered the Bihar Bandh 2025?

The heart of the opposition’s outrage lies in the Statewide Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Voter List, being carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar. According to leaders of the Mahagathbandhan — which includes RJD, Congress, CPI, CPI-ML, and VIP — this process is being misused to deliberately remove names of genuine voters, especially from marginalized and minority communities.

Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition in Bihar, has called it an “electoral fraud in the making,” while Congress MP Rahul Gandhi echoed similar concerns, accusing the BJP of attempting to “steal votes in Bihar just like Maharashtra.”

Massive Protest March Led by Tejashwi and Rahul in Patna

Early Wednesday morning, Tejashwi Yadav, flanked by Rahul Gandhi, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI-ML Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, and VIP party chief Mukesh Sahani, began a massive march from Income Tax Golambar in central Patna.

The protestors, carrying party flags and banners denouncing the voter list revision, aimed to reach the Election Commission’s office. However, heavy police barricading stopped them near Shaheed Smarak, resulting in minor confrontations between the crowd and security personnel.

Clashes, Roadblocks, and Train Disruptions Across Bihar

As part of the Bihar Bandh 2025, Mahagathbandhan supporters resorted to:

• Blocking roads and highways

• Setting tyres on fire

• Stopping trains at various railway stations

• Shouting anti-BJP and anti-EC slogans

Railway services in North and South Bihar were affected for several hours, with several passenger trains delayed or stopped mid-route. In Darbhanga, Arrah, Begusarai, and Nalanda, protesters staged sit-ins on the tracks, while in Siwan and Chapra, bus services were suspended due to roadblocks.

Rahul Gandhi’s Sharp Attack on BJP: “Vote Loot Model in Bihar”

During the Patna protest, Rahul Gandhi addressed the media, saying,

“Just like BJP implemented its vote-stealing model in Maharashtra, it is now trying a new version in Bihar. They want to win not through democracy but by deleting names from the electoral rolls. This is unacceptable. We will not let them tamper with democracy.”

He further stated that opposition unity is not just political but constitutional, and the people of Bihar will resist any attempt to manipulate elections.

Police Deployment and Security Measures in Place

The Bihar government deployed heavy police forces across sensitive zones in Patna and other districts. Barricades, drone surveillance, and traffic diversions were implemented around protest-prone areas to avoid large-scale violence or clashes.

Despite attempts to maintain peace, minor scuffles between protestors and police were reported near Gandhi Maidan and Dak Bungalow crossing. In some areas, protestors tried to breach police barricades, prompting mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

Opposition Demands in Bihar Bandh 2025

The Mahagathbandhan leaders listed the following demands:

• Immediate halt to the voter list revision (SIR process)

• Transparent review of all deletions made so far

• Involvement of opposition parties in the monitoring of the voter update process

• Action against officials allegedly complicit in politically motivated deletions

They claimed that lakhs of voters, particularly from Dalit, OBC, and Muslim communities, have been arbitrarily removed or marked “doubtful” without due verification.

What Is the SIR Voter List Controversy?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a routine electoral roll update procedure conducted before elections. However, opposition parties allege that the 2025 revision in Bihar is being done:

• Without public awareness

• With suspicious filtering of names

• In favor of ruling party vote banks

While the Election Commission of India (ECI) has denied any wrongdoing, political observers say the timing and scale of deletions have created a trust deficit among voters.

Why Bihar Bandh 2025 Is Politically Significant

The 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections are being closely watched as a litmus test for opposition unity at the national level. With Congress, RJD, Left parties, and regional forces coming together, the Bihar Bandh marks:

• The first major joint protest led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav

• A preview of the INDIA bloc’s on-ground coordination

• A direct challenge to BJP’s hold in the Hindi heartland

Analysts believe this protest could serve as a blueprint for pan-India electoral protests against the BJP’s alleged electoral strategies.

Public Reactions: Mixed Response Across Bihar

While the bandh received strong support in opposition strongholds, the general public expressed mixed feelings. While many supported the call for free and fair elections, others were inconvenienced by traffic jams, school closures, and disruptions to daily life.

Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in Patna, said,

“I understand their cause, but these protests block roads and hurt small businesses. There must be better ways to protest.”

Key Highlights of Bihar Bandh – July 9, 2025

As the Election Commission remains silent, pressure is now building for an official response. The Mahagathbandhan has hinted at larger protests, legal petitions, and national-level campaigns if their demands are ignored.

Sources suggest a joint memorandum will soon be submitted to the President of India, demanding oversight of the voter revision process in Bihar.