Opposition to step up protest; BJP says SIR debate off-limits

Time of India

4 days ago

The Opposition is gearing up to escalate its protest over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, following the release of the draft roll by the Election Commission. It is also planning to press for a discussion on the issue in both Houses of Parliament, which have remained stalled for the past two weeks, barring a 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor.
To coordinate their next moves, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have invited leaders of the INDIA bloc for a dinner meeting on August 7 at Gandhi's official residence in New Delhi. Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Abhishek Banerjee and Tejashwi Yadav are among those who have confirmed participation.
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The Opposition is also considering a protest at the Election Commission's office in Delhi on August 8, in addition to sustained floor action during the ongoing session.
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But the government has pushed back. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that a discussion on SIR cannot be allowed under parliamentary rules. "The government is ready to discuss any issue as per rules. But this is a process undertaken by a constitutional authority and it's not the first time it's being done," he said. Citing former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, he added, "What is not favoured by rules and convention cannot be discussed." He also asked who in the House would answer on behalf of the EC.
Opposition leaders, however, remain firm. Rahul Gandhi, after a meeting with Speaker Om Birla, accused the EC of acting on behalf of the BJP. "Whoever in the Election Commission is involved in this exercise-from top to bottom-we will not spare you. You are working against India. This is no less than treason," he said.
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In Rajya Sabha, several opposition MPs have submitted notices under Rule 267 seeking to suspend regular business and hold a discussion on the SIR, as well as issues such as alleged atrocities against Bengali-speaking people in some states.
Government sources told ET that Rule 267 notices are rarely accepted and are meant for extraordinary situations. "Currently, members are submitting notices on a range of issues, but there is no consensus among them," a source said.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh, addressing members in the Upper House on Thursday, urged them to use Question Hour and Zero Hour more productively. "This session provided opportunities for 120 questions, 120 Zero Hour submissions and 120 Special Mentions. But only 11 questions, three submissions and 17 mentions could be taken up. The House has lost 30 hours and six minutes of members' time-not government business time," he said.