Parliamentary proceedings were derailed for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as Opposition protests over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls led to repeated adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The Monsoon Session, which commenced on Monday, continued to witness chaos as Opposition MPs demanded immediate discussion on the EC's voter list update, calling it politically motivated and unconstitutional in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections.
Both Houses were adjourned until 11 am on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned within minutes of convening at 11 am. Although it reconvened at noon, disruptions persisted, leading to another adjournment till 2 pm. The House could not resume meaningful proceedings due to continued sloganeering and placard-waving by Opposition members.
Targeting the Opposition benches for paralysing the House, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “They (Opposition) are demanding discussion and we are ready for it. Then why are they not allowing the House to function? This double standard is wrong. If you want discussion, then do not create ruckus. The government has said that we are ready for discussion. You are wasting public money....”
Also read: Lok Sabha adjourned till noon amid uproar by Opposition MPs
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair at the time, urged protesting members to follow procedure. “Instead of showing placards, you can submit your proposals, resolutions, and the business advisory committee will consider them. Speakers will give time, and the government will respond. Why are you worried?” Pal said before adjourning the House.
The Rajya Sabha too faced a similar situation, with Opposition MPs raising slogans and pressing for a structured debate on the Bihar SIR. The din forced the Chair to call off the day’s proceedings.
Outside Parliament, a group of senior Opposition leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest at the Makar Dwar. Holding placards with messages such as “death of democracy” and “stealing of Indian rights,” they demanded an immediate halt to the voter roll revision exercise.
The SIR, which has already stirred controversy in Bihar, has been sharply criticised by the INDIA bloc, which alleges that the revision targets specific communities and is designed to tilt the electoral balance ahead of polls.
The Opposition has also been demanding debates on the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the Indian military response under Operation Sindoor. However, the government has maintained that discussions can only take place in an orderly environment.
Whether the government and Opposition can find common ground remains uncertain, but with valuable parliamentary time slipping away, the legislative logjam is likely to intensify unless a compromise is reached.
Follow us
