Parliament paralysed for 4th day as Opposition protests over Bihar SIR
Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, as the Congress-led opposition staged noisy protests over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, demanding the exercise be rolled back.
The opposition continued to press the Union government for a debate not only on the SIR but also on Operation Sindoor, former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the abrupt resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar after the session’s opening day.
Although the government has agreed to a 16-hour discussion next week on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, opposition MPs have stalled proceedings in both Houses since July 22 over the SIR in Bihar.
Sources indicate that the Rajya Sabha may also take up a 16-hour debate on these issues next week.
On Thursday, the Houses opened to fresh protests by opposition MPs focused on the SIR issue. Earlier in the day, members of the opposition INDIA bloc demonstrated outside Parliament, criticising the Election Commission of India’s handling of the SIR and demanding a full debate in both Houses.
As the Lok Sabha convened, opposition MPs attempted to raise the matter of electoral roll revision in Bihar, shouted slogans and entered the Well of the House holding placards.
Speaker Om Birla urged protesting members to return to their seats and assured them opportunities to raise their concerns as per rules. However, as the din continued, he adjourned the House until 2 pm.
When the Lok Sabha reconvened, protests resumed with equal intensity. Officiating Speaker Krishna Prasad Tenneti appealed to the MPs to allow the House to take up a bill reserving seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly. As opposition members refused to relent, the TDP MP adjourned proceedings for the day.
Similar scenes played out in the Rajya Sabha, which faced repeated adjournments before being adjourned for the day until July 25.
Nation