LS Proceedings Halted Amid SIR Row, Opposition Demands Debate

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The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were completely washed out on Monday as a political standoff over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar intensified. Opposition parties, led by the INDIA bloc, have been demanding an immediate and comprehensive debate on the issue, but the government has rejected the request, citing the independence of the Election Commission (EC) and a previous speaker’s ruling that such matters are not for parliamentary discussion.

The SIR exercise, a Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls in Bihar, has become a major flashpoint during the Monsoon Session. The Opposition alleges that the process is a “vote-stealing” tactic and is being used to deliberately remove the names of voters from marginalized communities. They claim the exercise is a “targeted disenfranchisement” of voters ahead of state assembly elections, which are scheduled for later this year. This has led to a series of daily protests and adjournments since the session began.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion to discuss the matter, arguing that the exercise “disproportionately affected” historically marginalized communities and that similar tactics could spread to other states. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also an MP, has called the SIR a “very big issue” and urged the government to allow a discussion.

In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government’s position that it cannot debate the functioning of a constitutional body like the EC. He pointed to a previous ruling by former Speaker Balram Jakhar, which established that Parliament cannot interfere in the administrative work of the Election Commission. Rijiju also noted that the Opposition had previously agreed to discuss and pass key legislative bills, such as the National Sports Governance Bill, but was now backtracking on its word.

Despite appeals from the Speaker and the government, the Lok Sabha was adjourned multiple times and ultimately for the day, with no legislative business transacted. The stalemate is a continuation of the political friction that has marked the entire session, raising concerns about the Parliament’s ability to address pressing national issues.