Opposition Protests Over SIR Disrupt Parliament for Second Day; Government Agrees to Debate Without Fixed Timeline
Centre says it is open to discussing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls but urges Opposition not to push for an immediate schedule.
Parliament witnessed a second straight day of disruption on Tuesday, as Opposition MPs continued their protest demanding an urgent debate on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned until 2 p.m. amid loud slogan-shouting, with members of the INDIA bloc insisting that the government address their concerns without delay.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Rajya Sabha that the Union government was willing to hold a debate on the SIR process and broader electoral reforms. However, he urged Opposition leaders not to insist on setting a specific timeline for when the discussion must take place.
Earlier in the day, INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest at Parliament’s Makar Dwar, holding banners that read “Stop SIR, Stop Vote Chori,” alleging that the government was enabling voter suppression through the revision exercise.
Inside the Lok Sabha, proceedings were suspended soon after Zero Hour, even as committee reports were presented. Opposition MPs continued raising slogans, pressing for an immediate discussion on the revision of electoral rolls.
Rijiju appealed for calm, asking MPs to maintain decorum and allow members from all parties to express their views. He also took a swipe at the Congress, saying the party was “losing the confidence of the people” following recent electoral setbacks.
Meanwhile, the government is scheduled to move the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to propose higher duties and cesses on tobacco products.
The deadlock eased slightly after a meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Minister Rijiju, following which the government agreed to the Opposition’s demand for a debate on the SIR issue.
Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government for initially refusing to allow the discussion. “We want a serious debate. The Chairman did not permit it and the government was not ready. This weakens democracy,” he said.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the criticism, accusing the government of avoiding accountability. “We are asking for discussions on pollution, SIR and other key issues. Votes are being removed; ‘vote theft’ is happening. Parliament is the temple of democracy — debate must take place here,” she said.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) and MP K. C. Venugopal also targeted the Centre over the Department of Telecommunications’ directive to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on smartphones, calling it an intrusion into citizens’ privacy and “an attack on the Constitution”.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari accused the government of undermining parliamentary norms. He claimed the Opposition was promised an update by 9 a.m., but no communication was received. “BLOs have died by suicide. Does the government want a repeat of what happened with farmers?” he asked.
