Day 4 of the Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 began under a cloud of rising tension. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha reconvened this morning amid loud protests led by the Opposition.
What Is the Bihar SIR and Why the Uproar?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated the SIR process to update voter rolls across Bihar. While ECI says the revision aims to enhance voter accuracy, the Opposition alleges that names are being selectively removed.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi called the government’s silence “strange” and questioned the intent behind avoiding a debate. “It seems they are hiding something. This is about stealing people’s right to vote,” he said.
Sonia Gandhi, INDIA Bloc Protest at Parliament
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and MPs from the INDIA bloc staged a dramatic protest outside the Parliament’s Makar Dwar on Thursday morning.
Holding placards, they demanded an immediate discussion on SIR. The message was clear: no business until the government clarifies its stand.
Rule 267 Notices Flood Rajya Sabha
Several Opposition leaders, including Sanjay Singh of AAP and Akhilesh Prasad Singh of Congress, moved Rule 267 notices in Rajya Sabha. These sought to suspend normal business to discuss the SIR’s constitutional impact.
Sanjay Singh called the SIR “worrisome” and “promoting inequality.” His written notice accused the Election Commission of bias and warned of grave consequences in Bihar’s democratic process.
Support from Karnataka and Beyond
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara backed Rahul Gandhi’s claim that “elections are being stolen.” He pointed to past incidents of voter roll tampering in Karnataka as well.
“These patterns are not isolated. The EC must take serious note,” he said in Bengaluru.
Modi’s Absence Fuels Anger
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad slammed PM Narendra Modi for not addressing the issue in Parliament. “The country deserves answers. Instead, the PM walked out,” he said.
Opposition leaders insist that only a statement from the Prime Minister can end the ongoing deadlock in Parliament.
Legislative Business Takes a Backseat
Despite the chaos, key bills were listed for discussion. These included:
- The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
- The ST Reservation Bill for Goa
However, repeated disruptions make it uncertain whether these will be debated today. The Monsoon Session is scheduled to run till August 21, but progress has been minimal so far.
Vice President Row Adds to Tensions
Meanwhile, controversy also surrounds the recent resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The ECI has started preparations for the election to his office, but the timing of his departure has raised eyebrows.
The Opposition has accused the government of forcing Dhankhar to resign, while PIB Fact Check has debunked claims that his official residence was sealed.
Conclusion: Democracy or Disruption?
The Monsoon Session so far has been more about confrontation than legislation. With the Bihar SIR issue at the center of it all, the question remains: Will the government address the allegations head-on?
Until then, expect more walkouts, protests, and political drama in the days ahead.
