Congress Stages Unique Protest in Bihar SIR, Highlights ‘India’s Oldest Voter

Fast summary:

• On August 12, 2025, Congress MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Gaurav gogoi protested alleged voter fraud in Bihar by wearing T-shirts featuring Minta Devi, a woman listed as being 124 years old in teh electoral rolls.
• The protest focused on discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and claims of voter manipulation in various constituencies.
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi earlier highlighted similar cases where voters over 100 years old were listed inaccurately. He pointed out three specific names during his press conference on August 7.
• The Congress compared the inaccuracies to international records, noting that Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom, at age 115, is currently recognized as the world’s oldest living person.

Image Caption: Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress MPs wear a T-shirt with ‘Minta Devi’ on it during their protest.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The protest led by Congress against alleged voter roll anomalies raises valid concerns about India’s electoral transparency.While highlighting exaggerated ages of voters such as Minta Devi’s reported 124 years might seem symbolic or humorous initially, it brings attention to systemic flaws that could undermine democratic processes if not addressed.Accurate electoral data is vital for ensuring fair elections and public trust in institutions like the Election Commission of India (ECI).

such protests may prompt regulatory bodies to revisit procedures for updating voter rolls. Though, this must be approached collaboratively rather than politicized for effective rectification without deepening partisan divides. Ensuring robust verification mechanisms can safeguard democracy while enhancing India’s reputation for free and fair elections globally.

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