Sonia Gandhi Leads Protest Against Labor Arrests in Bihar
Sonia Gandhi spearheaded a protest outside Parliament against the arrests of workers in BJP-ruled states, emphasizing the ongoing Special Intensive Review in Bihar. Joined by other opposition leaders, including TMC MPs, the demonstration criticized the Election Commission's actions amid allegations of government pressure. The protest featured striking visuals, including a cartoon depicting the EC in chains, symbolizing the perceived threats to democracy. This event marks a significant moment in the political landscape as opposition parties rally against perceived injustices.
| Jul 30, 2025, 12:17 IST
Sonia Gandhi Joins Protests Outside Parliament
Sonia Gandhi, the head of the Congress Parliamentary Party, was present on Wednesday at the Makar Dwar outside Parliament, participating in a protest organized by the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) against the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) in the election-bound state of Bihar and the arrests of workers in BJP-ruled states. Gandhi held a large banner reading 'SIR - Attack on Democracy' and stood alongside her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi, who is also the MP from Wayanad. Other leaders, including Pramod Tiwari and Manickam Tagore, were also in attendance.
The protest saw participation from MPs of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), who voiced their opposition to the arrests of workers in BJP-governed states. The party has been conducting separate protests against the alleged mistreatment of Bengalis in other states over the past few days, but today they joined the larger demonstration, while other MPs criticized the Election Commission (EC) by holding cartoon posters.
One of the cartoons depicted a character named 'EC' in uniform, shackled, holding what appeared to be an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), with a speech bubble stating 'YES SIR'. This pointedly referenced the recent allegations by opposition parties that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is operating under pressure from the central government, particularly in light of events in Bihar. Since the commencement of the monsoon session on July 21, BJP MPs have been protesting both inside and outside Parliament against the revision of the voter list.