‘Anti-India gangs’: Rijiju alleges conspiracy over SIR protests, shares Neha Bora-Prashant Bhushan video

New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday alleged that opposition politicians and what he described as "anti-India gangs" had joined hands to provoke unrest during the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that attempts were being made to replicate violent incidents witnessed in Bangladesh and France.

In a social media post, Rijiju accused certain political leaders of attempting to mobilise young people to create disorder on Indian streets, alleging that the protests were part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the country.

"The violent incident that occurred in Bangladesh and the riots, arson, and looting that took place in France - a similar conspiracy was hatched for India as well. Anti-India gangs and some politicians had colluded to incite the youth and spread violence on our streets,” the Union minister said.

Rijiju maintained that political change in India could only be achieved through democratic elections and not through what he alleged were externally backed attempts to create instability.

"But those who devised this dangerous conspiracy forgot that India is neither Bangladesh nor France. Regime change in India is absolutely possible - but only through elections, not through Soros,” he added.

The Union minister also shared a video featuring All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, in which they were seen advocating regime change.

By sharing the video alongside his remarks, Rijiju sought to link calls for political change made during the protests to his allegations of attempts to incite unrest.

However, the minister did not provide specific evidence in the remarks cited to substantiate his allegations of a coordinated conspiracy or foreign involvement.

His comments come amid continuing protests against the SIR exercise, with demonstrators raising concerns over alleged voter deletions and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.

The protests have also witnessed demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with student organisations and other groups questioning the electoral roll revision process.