The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday amidst uproar from the Opposition, who were demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Opposition members staged a protest, raising slogans and disrupting the proceedings of the House.
The SIR drive has been a contentious issue, with the Opposition alleging that the exercise is being used to disenfranchise certain sections of voters, particularly the poor and marginalized communities. Congress MP Manickam Tagore had submitted an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the voters’ list revision, labeling the SIR exercise as “dangerous and unconstitutional.”
Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have been leading the charge against the SIR drive, claiming that it is being used to manipulate the electoral rolls in favor of the ruling party. The Opposition has also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the House and respond to their concerns.
The Rajya Sabha proceedings were repeatedly disrupted, with Opposition members refusing to back down despite appeals from the Chair. The House, which witnessed two adjournments earlier in the day, was eventually adjourned for the day, with the Opposition vowing to continue their protests until their demands were met.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wondered as to why the Opposition was backing away from the discussion on Operation Sindoor. Talking to newsmen, Chouhan questioned: “Why is the Opposition running away from discussion? These are the same people who demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor, and now that the government is ready for discussion, why are they running away? Are they afraid of being unmasked?”
However, this is not the first time the SIR drive has sparked controversy. In previous days, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned due to Opposition protests, with members demanding a discussion on the issue. The Opposition has alleged that the Election Commission is carrying out the exercise in a biased manner, while the ruling party has maintained that the exercise is aimed at removing bogus voters and ensuring the accuracy of the electoral rolls.