Amit Shah Defends SIR; Opposition Alleges Targeting
Amit Shah used his address in the Lok Sabha to assert that SIR is a constitutional process aimed at cleaning the electoral rolls and safeguarding national security. He argued that the exercise would remove ineligible entries and insisted critics were politicising the issue.
The Home Minister linked the revision to concerns over undocumented migration, saying that electoral integrity cannot be compromised if non-citizens influence results. Opposition parties countered that the process risked disenfranchising marginalized voters and accused the government of using SIR for political advantage.
Walkouts and Sharp Exchanges
After Shah’s remarks, several Opposition benches staged a walkout, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi calling the Minister’s response “defensive” and saying key questions on transparency and EVM architecture were not addressed. Gandhi also challenged Shah to public discussions of prior press claims and continued to press the Election Commission for clarity.
Government ministers and BJP MPs defended Shah, accusing the Opposition of playing politics on national security and urging members to accept the constitutional basis for the revision. The Lok Sabha later approved an extension for the parliamentary committee examining One Nation One Election proposals to the last week of the 2026 Budget session.
Rajya Sabha: Vande Mataram Debate and Unrest
The Rajya Sabha witnessed robust discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, with senior leaders including JP Nadda participating in heated exchanges. The debate touched upon cultural and historical interpretations of the song and prompted cross-bench interventions.
Other Flashpoints: E-cigarette Allegation, Environmental Pleas
The Lok Sabha also saw a brief ruckus after BJP MP Anurag Thakur alleged that a Trinamool Congress member had been using an e-cigarette inside the House, prompting the Speaker to intervene. Separately, MPs raised issues ranging from green hydrogen initiatives to calls for shifting sessions due to seasonal air pollution.
Ministers used the floor to highlight policy initiatives including the push for ethanol blending and green energy even as political heat dominated the headlines.
What Comes Next
With committee timelines adjusted and both Houses scheduled for further discussion, the SIR debate is likely to remain a focal point of the Winter Session. Parliamentary calendars show continued hearings and statements from multiple ministries in the coming days as the government and Opposition prepare for further rounds of scrutiny.
