On the 13th day of the Monsoon Session, Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, registering strong opposition to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Holding banners that read “The SIR: Demand discussion not deletion!”, the protesting MPs accused the Election Commission of alleged irregularities and mass deletions in the ongoing revision process.
Speaking to ANI during the protest, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government’s silence and reluctance to engage in dialogue: “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…”
The protest was joined by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, who held placards that read “Stop Insulting Bengal”, voicing parallel concerns regarding the treatment of states and the need for federal respect.
Opposition Raises Parliament Notices:
- Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury submitted a Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha, demanding an urgent discussion on issues related to the EC’s SIR process.
- In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion, calling for immediate debate over alleged large-scale deletions and irregularities in Bihar’s electoral rolls.
Despite opposition protests, the Lok Sabha continued with its legislative business, which included:
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the expenditure estimates for Manipur, addressing the financial situation in the state.
- Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introducing the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aiming to:
- Promote ethical sports development
- Safeguard athlete welfare
- Align governance with international sports standards
Mandaviya also tabled a bill to amend the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 to strengthen anti-doping efforts in line with global protocols.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which seeks to:
- Update and consolidate India’s maritime laws
- Align them with international treaties
- Promote the growth of Indian shipping and ensure effective governance of the merchant marine sector
MPs Harish Balyogi and Satish Chandra Dubey made statements regarding the implementation of various reports of the Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development.
While the Parliament moved ahead with its scheduled legislative agenda, opposition MPs signaled their intent to keep the focus on electoral transparency and voter rights, calling for greater accountability from the Election Commission over the ongoing Bihar voter roll revision.
