Anurag Thakur Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over SIR Protests

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Oct: The political row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Monday, with BJP leader Anurag Thakur criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Opposition’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Thakur described Gandhi as “unstable” and “anarchic”, alleging that the Congress had failed to provide evidence to support its accusations against the Election Commission. He said political disagreement was legitimate but maintained that allegations of electoral irregularities must be backed by proof.

The BJP leader also accused the Congress of attempting to pressure the judiciary by taking its political dispute to the streets while legal proceedings were underway. He argued that although every citizen has the right to approach the courts, political parties must respect constitutional institutions and established procedures.

Thakur cited allegations of booth capturing involving Congress workers during a 1989 election and accused the party of blaming the Election Commission for its electoral defeats. He further alleged that the Congress had a history of targeting institutions.

Taking his criticism further, Thakur accused Opposition leaders and workers of mistreating police personnel, including women officers, during the protests. He referred to videos circulating on social media in support of his allegations. The Congress had not responded to these charges in the account provided.

Gandhi Vows to Continue the Fight
The remarks came as Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders stepped up their campaign against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities.
The Opposition’s legal team has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking relief concerning the revision process and related decisions of the Election Commission. The legal move followed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s reported refusal to meet an Opposition delegation, while making clear that the Supreme Court remained accessible to those seeking legal remedies.

Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said the Opposition’s campaign would continue until changes were made in the Election Commission’s leadership, the Constitution was upheld and the electoral system was overhauled.

Rejecting suggestions that the protest had followed a predetermined plan, Gandhi described the mobilisation as spontaneous and compared it to “Shiva’s Tandava”.

“Hindustan does not resist according to a plan; Hindustan resists with its heart — and the resistance continues, and will continue,” he said.

The confrontation has sharpened the political debate over electoral transparency, the functioning of constitutional institutions and the Opposition’s campaign against the SIR process. The allegations remain contested, with the legal challenge now before the judiciary.