Parliamentary Deadlock Continues as Sports Bill Hinges on SIR Demand

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A stalemate in Parliament persists as the government seeks to pass a crucial sports bill while the Opposition demands a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. With the government keen on passing the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the Opposition holding firm on its demand, the Monsoon Session remains gridlocked. The situation raises questions about whether a compromise can be reached to allow legislative business to proceed, as key bills sit in limbo amid the political maneuvering.

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha, aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to India’s sports administration. The bill seeks to regulate the functioning of national sports bodies, establish a National Sports Board to oversee them, and create a National Sports Tribunal to adjudicate disputes. It also sets age and tenure limits for administrators and mandates the inclusion of sportspersons and women in executive committees. The government sees the bill as a vital step towards improving India’s sporting performance on the international stage and preparing for a potential bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.

However, the Opposition, led by the INDIA bloc, has paralyzed parliamentary proceedings with its demand for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition leaders allege the exercise, being conducted by the Election Commission of India, is a deliberate attempt to remove voters sympathetic to their cause and benefit the ruling coalition in the upcoming state elections. They have staged protests and continuously disrupted sessions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, demanding that the government address their concerns.

Despite the disruptions, the government has shown a willingness to proceed with its legislative agenda, even if it means passing bills “in the din.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has maintained that the SIR is an administrative matter for the Election Commission and cannot be debated in the House. He has cited rules and conventions that prevent Parliament from discussing the functioning of a constitutional body. Meanwhile, the Opposition has urged the government to refer the sports bill to a parliamentary committee for a more detailed study, a proposal the government appears reluctant to accept.

The ongoing deadlock has prevented the consideration of other key legislation, including amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act and bills related to shipping and ports. The impasse highlights the deep political divisions and the challenges of bipartisan cooperation in the current parliamentary climate.