Parliament Stalled for Fourth Day Amid Protests Over Bihar Voter Roll Revision
Parliamentary proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day of the Monsoon Session. Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc protested vehemently against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Alleging potential "electoral manipulation" and "mass disenfranchisement," the opposition demanded a dedicated discussion, leading to sloganeering and repeated adjournments. The protests highlight a major political flashpoint ahead of the state's assembly elections.
Unpacked:
The SIR is a process by which the Election Commission updates and verifies voter lists, aiming to ensure accuracy before elections. It is controversial in Bihar as opposition parties allege the revision could be used for “electoral manipulation” or to disenfranchise certain groups, especially ahead of assembly elections, while the government claims it is a routine exercise to maintain fairness.
Opposition MPs have staged protests inside Parliament, engaged in sloganeering, displayed placards, and repeatedly demanded a dedicated discussion on the SIR issue. These actions led to multiple adjournments of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, effectively disrupting parliamentary proceedings for several consecutive days.
Government leaders have criticized the opposition for disrupting Parliament and wasting taxpayers’ money. They argue that not all issues can be discussed simultaneously and that the opposition should cooperate with agreed schedules. The government has agreed to hold special discussions on other issues, like Operation Sindoor, but has not prioritized the SIR debate as demanded.
The disruptions have severely curtailed Parliament’s functioning, with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha operating for only a fraction of scheduled hours. Three days of disruption alone have cost taxpayers an estimated Rs 23 crore, highlighting significant financial and legislative losses due to the ongoing deadlock.