Parliament's monsoon session has been repeatedly disrupted due to protests by the opposition INDIA bloc regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The opposition alleges that the SIR process, undertaken by the Election Commission, is politically motivated and aims to disenfranchise voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. The Election Commission, however, maintains that the revision exercise is solely focused on ensuring the inclusion of eligible voters.
The disruptions have led to multiple adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, stalling parliamentary proceedings. Opposition MPs have been demanding a discussion on the SIR issue and a rollback of the Election Commission's drive in Bihar. They have engaged in sloganeering, entered the well of the House, and waved placards to voice their protest.
The ongoing disruptions have drawn criticism from the ruling party. Leader of the House J.P. Nadda has accused the opposition of double standards. Nadda pointed out that the opposition staged a walkout during the Home Minister's reply to the debate on Operation Sindoor, despite having demanded a discussion on the issue. He drew a comparison to the proceedings following the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, where the then Home Minister and Prime Minister addressed the debate in the Lok Sabha, while the Minister of Home Affairs replied to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha. Nadda emphasized that it is the government's prerogative to decide which minister should speak.
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, expressed concern over the loss of parliamentary time due to the disruptions. He noted that a significant number of questions, zero-hour mentions, and special mentions could not be taken up due to the disruptions, resulting in a substantial waste of members' time. Harivansh referred to a resolution adopted by the House in 1997, which emphasized the importance of preserving the prestige of Parliament by adhering to rules and maintaining orderly conduct.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has also stated that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the opposition more, as they lose crucial opportunities to hold the government accountable. Rijiju said that while the opposition may believe they are damaging the government, they are actually weakening their own role in a democracy. He added that a functioning Parliament is essential for the government to answer to the people.
Despite the disruptions, the government has expressed its willingness to discuss the SIR issue, subject to rules and the Chair's permission. However, the opposition has continued its protests, demanding an immediate discussion and rollback of the revision exercise. The INDIA bloc has also staged protests outside the Parliament complex, alleging that the SIR process is politically motivated and undermines democratic rights.
The disruptions over the SIR issue have overshadowed other important parliamentary business, including debates on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The logjam has also prevented the House from taking up key ministries and holding the government accountable through the Question Hour.
As the monsoon session continues, it remains to be seen whether the government and opposition can find common ground to resolve the impasse and ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament.