The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) staged a protest outside the university gate on Wednesday, condemning the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, claiming it risks disenfranchising millions ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections. The demonstration turned contentious as Delhi Police detained several JNUSU office bearers and members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), according to a statement issued by the union.

The ECI’s SIR exercise, with the draft roll published on August 1 and the final roll set for September 30, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who argue it could strip eligible voters of their rights. JNUSU labeled the SIR policies as “exclusionary,” echoing concerns raised by INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sharad Pawar. On Monday, these leaders marched to the ECI headquarters, accusing the poll body of enabling “vote fraud” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and mismanaging the Bihar voter roll revision.

JNUSU’s statement described the detentions as “a chilling echo of a broader pattern of stifling dissent under the current regime.” Protesters displayed posters demanding accountability, with one reading, “ECI must answer the concerns of opposition.” The union emphasized that the students were peacefully mobilizing against policies they believe undermine democratic participation.

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The ongoing controversy highlights growing tensions over electoral integrity, with the opposition pressing for a parliamentary discussion on the SIR exercise. As Bihar prepares for its assembly polls, the JNUSU’s protest underscores the critical role of student activism in challenging perceived threats to democratic processes.

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