After two days of disruptions due to opposition protests, the government has agreed to a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Lok Sabha on December 9. The decision was reached after an all-party meeting and a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the agreement, stating that the debate would fall under the broader topic of electoral reforms. He appealed to opposition parties to cooperate fully with the decision and contribute substantively to the parliamentary proceedings. In addition to the SIR debate, the Lok Sabha will also hold a discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on December 8, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both discussions are allotted 10 hours each, with the possibility of extension if deemed necessary.

The opposition has been demanding a debate on the SIR exercise, alleging disenfranchisement of marginalized communities. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the SIR issue is urgent and should be discussed immediately. He also claimed that more than 28 people have died due to work pressure related to SIR.

Rijiju, while announcing the truce, blamed the opposition for the logjam in Parliament. He said that the government was willing to discuss any issue and had invited leaders from various parties for a dialogue to end the stalemate. However, he stressed that parliamentary proceedings cannot be disrupted over one demand and that no timeline should be set for the discussion.

Rijiju also took a jibe at the Congress party, saying that they are losing the confidence of the people and venting their anger in Parliament because they are unable to win elections. He added that in a democracy, people win and lose, and they should not vent their anger in the House.

The minister clarified that the SIR was an administrative matter of the Election Commission, and Parliament had to widen the scope of the discussion. He said that the government oversees the election process while Parliament discusses and enacts laws for bigger reforms in the Election Commission and the electoral process.

The agreement to hold the SIR debate on December 9 is expected to end the stalemate in Parliament and pave the way for constructive discussions on electoral reforms.