‘Prove You’re Indian or Lose Your Vote!’ - 3 Lakh Bihar Voters at Risk Amid Citizenship Crackdown

Patna (The Uttam Hindu): A massive political and social storm has erupted in Bihar as the Election Commission launches a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list ahead of the upcoming state elections. What started as a routine revision exercise has turned into a nationwide flashpoint over citizenship rights and electoral integrity.

In a dramatic twist, the Election Commission has sent notices to over 3 lakh individuals in the state, questioning the authenticity of their voter credentials. The majority of these cases have emerged from the Kishanganj district, which shares porous borders with both Nepal and Bangladesh.

Many of the recipients of these notices are individuals whose documents show discrepancies—either due to birth across the border or lack of acceptable residency proof. Locals in areas like Thakurganj’s Galgalia and Besarbanti Panchayat have pushed back, citing decades of cultural and familial ties across the borders. Marriages between Indian and Nepali citizens are common, but the sudden demand for 11 different identity documents has left many in a legal limbo.

Some of these residents, born in India to immigrant parents, now fear being stripped of their right to vote, their citizenship questioned, and their identity erased. “I was born here. My father came from Bangladesh, but this is my home. How can I prove where I live when I’ve spent years working outside Bihar?” said one distressed resident.

Political Firestorm: Rahul, Tejashwi, Akhilesh Rally Against SIR

The issue has exploded into a full-blown political crisis. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav have launched a “Voter Rights Yatra” across Bihar, protesting what they allege is an attempt to suppress the vote of marginalized communities. They’ve been joined by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who did not hold back in his criticism.

“Today they want to take your vote. Tomorrow, they’ll take your caste certificate, your ration card,” said Akhilesh. “This is how the BJP operates — distract from real issues like inflation and unemployment, and create new ones.”

Amid these protests, demands are rising for a citizenship resolution for those caught in this bureaucratic nightmare. Community leaders argue that those born in India and living here for decades should not be punished for administrative oversights or historical migration.