The opposition parties' Vote Adhikar Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, is currently underway in Bihar, alleging “vote theft.” Several photos and videos of the yatra are circulating widely on social media. However, some misleading content has also emerged. One such viral video, claimed to be from the yatra, was fact-checked by the Mathrubhumi Fact Check Desk.

The video was shared with the caption: “Protests by people in Bihar against vote loot.” However, a close examination of the video by found this claim to be misleading.

Investigation

The controversy arose ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, during the ongoing voter list revision process (Special Intensive Revision). Opposition parties alleged that around 65 lakhs names were excluded from the draft voter list, accusing the ruling party of attempting “vote theft.”

In response, the INDIA bloc launched the Vote Adhikar Yatra on August 17. The march is scheduled to pass through Gaya, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga, and West Champaran, before concluding in Chhapra on August 30.

A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to a news broadcast by Jai Maharashtra News dated July 31, 2025. The same visuals appeared in the report, which clarified that they were from the Palkhi procession held in Shegaon, Maharashtra, as part of the Palkhi Utsav.

Palkhi Festival - Palki Festival Maharashtra, Palkhi Festival Pandharpur India

The Palkhi Festival is a major religious event in Maharashtra, where the footwear (padukas) of saints like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar are carried in palanquins by devotees on foot to Pandharpur. The journey spans over 22 days and attracts lakhs of devotees, as noted on the Maharashtra Tourism website.

Fact

The claim is false. The viral video is not from the Vote Adhikar Yatra in Bihar. It actually shows visuals from the Palkhi Yatra held in Maharashtra on July 31.