On-the-Ground: Congress Supporters Join Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Rights Yatra’, Teacher Mimics Politicians to Voice Protest

As Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s much-talked-about ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ kicks off in Sasaram, Bihar, large crowds gathered at the Biada Sura Airport grounds, including supporters from the Congress party and its affiliates.

Among them was Shaily Vinod, a school teacher and an active member of the Congress Seva Dal, who spoke passionately about why she supports the yatra and the movement against alleged threats to democracy in India. Shaily explained, “Article 19 of our Constitution gives us the right to peaceful protest against anything undemocratic. With democracy itself under threat, it’s everyone’s duty to stand up for it. The theft of votes is not a small thing—it’s a massive scam meant to deprive us of our rights. Rahul Gandhi is doing the right thing.”

She offered her full support for Rahul Gandhi, saying, “He has provided proof. Earlier, people didn’t believe him, thinking he spoke based on assumptions. But now, after studying Mahadevpur constituency in Maharashtra, he has shown large-scale vote rigging. That’s why we demand ballot-box voting—because the electronic voting (EVM) system can be hacked. Earlier, there may have been small incidents, even under Congress or RJD, but now the entire system has been ruined.”

Shaily’s resolve was evident as she compared the ‘vehicle of democracy’ to a car whose parts have been damaged beyond repair under the current government—insisting that people should not forgive such an attack on democracy, regardless of their political leanings.

In a unique and engaging way, she performed mimicry of prominent politicians to make her point. “If the headmaster himself starts cheating, how will the school run?” she quipped, mimicking Nitish Kumar, followed by an imitation of Narendra Modi: “Since the beginning, I have perfected the art of wrongdoing. The Election Commission has become my B-team. They’ve tied rakhi on me, I’ll give them gifts, and they’ll feed me sweets. I’ve swallowed democracy whole!”

When asked, Shaily Vinod confirmed she will walk alongside Rahul Gandhi in the yatra, emphasizing that the campaign is already mobilizing people and strengthening Congress and democratic values—not just as a party worker, but as a responsible citizen.

Her creative protest through mimicry and powerful words highlights the growing frustration among many with the current state of Indian democracy—and the determination to fight for voter rights and transparency.