Rejecting Opposition’s demand of a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that the issue is under consideration in the Supreme Court and can’t be discussed in the Parliament.
“The government has been open to take up discussion on any matter, however, any discussion in Parliament has to be in accordance with constitutional rules and procedures,” Rijiju said.
“This matter is under consideration by the Supreme Court,” Rijiju said, adding “it is sub judice and hence cannot be taken up by Parliament.”
The minister asserted that discussing SIR issue in Parliament would mean breaking the rules and conventions.
As the logjam continued in both the Houses of Parliament, the minister urged the Opposition MPs to allow the House to function. However, the Opposition MPs continued to protest and raise slogans demanding a discussion over the Bihar SIR, leading to the adjournment of the proceedings in Lok Sabha for the day. The House will resume at 11 am on Thursday, August 7.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a joint press conference with his INDIA bloc allies over the issue of SIR exercise.
Kharge said that the entire Opposition is united in demanding a discussion on the SIR issue but the government is not willing.
Referring to the government’s stand that the functioning of the Election Commission of India cannot be discussed in Parliament, Kharge cited Dhankhar’s statement that the House is entitled to discuss everything under this planet.
“On 21st July 2023, the then Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that this house is entitled to discuss everything under the planet,” he said.
The Congress leader claimed that votes of Dalits, tribals, MNREGA workers and minorities are being cut under the SIR exercise in Bihar.
“Whose votes are being cut? Minority votes are being cut, Dalit votes are being cut, tribal votes are being cut, MNREGA workers votes are being cut and the migrant workers are being deprived of their rights…,” he said.
Kharge also pointed out that a complete discussion will rectify the mistakes and protest those who are losing their voting rights.
“We want that we get a break to discuss this and the irregularities in the voter list and the theft of votes. We want that if a complete discussion is held then wherever they have made mistakes and whatever they are doing in an unconstitutional manner, we can answer them, give suggestions and in the interest of the country, especially we can protect those voters who are losing their rights,” he added.