Tensions flared in Parliament on Wednesday as opposition parties intensified protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing the Centre of dodging accountability and refusing to engage in a democratic discussion.
Leading the charge, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the central government’s reluctance to debate the matter in the House.
“Have they become so weak? They are neither able to run the Parliament nor respond to Trump… We are only asking for a discussion. It is easy for them to resolve this,” she told ANI.
The demand for discussion stems from concerns raised by the opposition over the potential deletion of a large number of voters from the electoral rolls in Bihar under the SIR process. Opposition members from the INDIA bloc have been protesting the issue throughout the Monsoon Session.
As the Lok Sabha convened for the day, loud protests erupted from the opposition benches. The session was adjourned within two minutes, and MPs continued their demonstration outside the House.
DMK MP Kanimozhi stressed the importance of parliamentary debate on election reforms.
“We want a discussion about it in Parliament, but they are not allowing it. It is important for democracy,” she said.
Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Praniti Shinde echoed the sentiment. Gogoi asked,
“What is the government afraid of? If Parliament doesn’t discuss the electoral process, where else will it be debated?”
In response, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that while the government is open to discussions as per the rules, the SIR process falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, a constitutional authority.
“There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time,” Rijiju told ANI.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a bulletin stating that no political party had filed claims or objections following the release of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar on August 1.
However, the ECI noted that 3,659 claims and objections were received from individual electors, and 19,186 new voter applications had been submitted by those turning 18 or older.
As per the rules, claims and objections are processed only after seven days from the date of receipt, and no name can be deleted from the draft roll without a speaking order and due enquiry by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
The Special Intensive Revision was initiated to ensure up-to-date and accurate electoral rolls ahead of the next elections. However, the opposition has raised fears that it could be used to disenfranchise certain groups of voters.
The ongoing protest by the opposition seeks a formal debate in Parliament to ensure transparency and accountability in the revision process.
