logo
INDIA bloc continues protest against Bihar's SIR, Congress leaders join in

INDIA bloc continues protest against Bihar's SIR, Congress leaders join in

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday joined the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc MPs in protesting against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar, and also the "arrest of labourers in BJP-ruled states" while being outside Parliament at Makar Dwar.
Sonia Gandhi joined the protest, holding the large banner 'SIR-attack on Democracy,' and stood beside her daughter and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi. Other leaders like Pramod Tiwari and Manickam Tagore were also present.
The INDIA bloc protest was also joined by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs protesting against the "arrest of labourers in BJP-ruled states." The party has been separately protesting for a few days against the alleged mistreatment of Bengalis in other states, however today, they joined the larger protest while the other MPs held caricature posters criticising the Election Commission (EC).
The SIR cartoon portrayed a man labelled "EC" dressed in uniform and shackled, holding what resembles an EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), with a speech bubble saying "YES SIR." The tweet was captioned with a single, sharp hashtag: #SIR, a clear reference to the recent allegations by opposition parties that the ECI is functioning under pressure from the central government, especially in light of developments in Bihar.
MPs of the INDIA bloc have been protesting against the voter roll revision on since the commencement of the monsoon session on July 21 both in and outside of Parliament.
Earlier on July 29, multiple leaders, including Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Manickam Tagore, Hibi Eden, DMK MP Kanimozhi, JMM MP Mahua Maji, RJD MP Manoj Jha protested in the ongoing rain ahead of the commencement of today's session in Parliament, holding up posters and demanding a halt to the exercise. Congress MP Manickam Tagore posted a cartoon on X, mocking the Election Commission of India (ECI) in connection with the recent controversy over the SIR.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha List of Business for Wednesday states that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will move a resolution to extend President's rule in the ethnic violence-hit state of Manipur for six months.
The President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, days after N Biren Singh resigned from the Chief Minister's position.
Under the motion, the President's rule will be extended till February 13, 2026, after the Parliament's concession.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement
‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement

Indian Express

time23 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement

The Indian government on Friday clarified that there have been no formal discussions yet on the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, despite a reference in the India-US joint statement earlier this year. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said: 'The US will undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue.' This statement comes in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi's February visit to US, during which the two sides elevated defence and strategic cooperation, but without finalising key hardware acquisitions like the F-35. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was also asked whether any proposal had been made by the US regarding the F-35, and about the role of American diplomats in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Singh noted that diplomatic conversations were held with various countries, including the US, between April 22 and May 10. 'All our interlocutors were given a common message that India's approach was focused, measured and non-escalatory,' Singh said. He added that on May 9, India had conveyed its position clearly to US Vice President J D Vance. 'With specific reference to the United States, it was conveyed to Vice President J D Vance on May 9 that India would appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack.' Singh clarified that the decision to cease military action was taken bilaterally between India and Pakistan. 'The discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication between the two-armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's request.' Responding to a question on third-party mediation, Singh reiterated New Delhi's long-standing policy: 'As regards any proposal for third-party mediation, our longstanding position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations, including by the Prime Minister to the US President.' He emphasised that the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is underpinned by mutual trust and respect for sovereignty: 'The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens. The partnership has also benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation.' Singh also reaffirmed that India remains committed to strategic autonomy despite deepening ties with Washington. 'The Government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy.'

Bihar SIR: 3.95 lakh voters not included in Patna
Bihar SIR: 3.95 lakh voters not included in Patna

The Hindu

time23 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Bihar SIR: 3.95 lakh voters not included in Patna

The Election Commission of India on Friday (August 1, 2025) published Bihar's draft electoral roll after the completion of the first phase of its Special Intensive Revision exercise. According to data shared by the office of Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, the State capital Patna has the highest number of 3.95 lakh voters not included in the list. There are more than 3 lakh voters missing from the draft roll in each of the three districts of East Champaran, Madhubani and Gopalganj. Another 10 districts have seen a drop of 2 lakh voters each, while 13 districts saw a decline of more than one lakh voters in the draft roll. Leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc in the State said the ECI failed to answer their queries about the names left out in the draft list. Detailed data needed: INDIA At a meeting of political parties organised by the Bihar CEO, INDIA bloc leaders asked how many voters whose names are in the 2003 voter list — when the last SIR was conducted — had filled in the current SIR enumeration form, seeking the total number and list of names. They also asked for the registered voter list published on January 7, 2025 to be provided in a pen drive or CD, with the data in an Assembly-wise format. In a memorandum submitted to the Bihar CEO, the INDIA bloc also asked for a detailed Assembly-wise list of those voters who have been removed from the final draft, as well as those who had not yet filled in the enumeration form by the evening of August 2. Noting that the ECI has said that over 22 lakh registered voters have died, the Opposition leaders asked which documents were taken from the relatives of the deceased voters. Similarly, they asked on what basis a number of voters have been declared 'untraceable'. Unanswered questions Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan said that there was a clear provision in the Election Representation Act that in case of removal of someone's name from the voter list, a notice should be issued to the affected voter. Was this followed in the case of 65 lakh voters whose names have been removed from the list, he asked. 'Has this number come to light in just six months after the final voter list published on January 7, 2025?' the INDIA bloc leaders asked in their memorandum. 'How many voters were provided with receipts during the SIR process in Bihar?' they added. 'No satisfactory answer was given by the Election Commission on this. The INDIA bloc asked the Election Commission how many foreign nationals' names and addresses have been found in the voter list so far. No answer was given to this either,' Mr. Gagan said. Apart from Mr. Gagan, others present at the meeting included Kumar Parvez of the CPI (ML), Sanjay Bharti of the Congress, and Anil Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), as well as representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties.

HC quashes FIR against CM in BJP ‘defamation' case
HC quashes FIR against CM in BJP ‘defamation' case

The Hindu

time23 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

HC quashes FIR against CM in BJP ‘defamation' case

Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court, on Friday, quashed the proceedings related to the First Information Report (FIR) issued against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, pending before a local court in Hyderabad. The case was registered against the CM based on a private complaint lodged by BJP General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu, alleging that Mr. Revanth Reddy defamed BJP by stating that 'the party would do away with reservation to BCs, SCs and STs if it came to power'. The statement was made by the CM at a public meeting in Kothagudem during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, the complainant said. Challenging this, Mr. Revanth Reddy filed a criminal petition in the HC, which set aside the FIR.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store