As SIR Discussion Demand Stalls Parliament, Can Sports Bill Finally Break Deadlock?
In a meeting with sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, opposition leaders signalled their willingness to debate the Bill on Tuesday, even if it means extending the sitting hours
Parliament has barely conducted any meaningful business since the Monsoon Session began on July 21. The Opposition has remained adamant, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise on the floor of the House. However, in the two weeks since the session started, the only debate that has taken place was on Operation Sindoor.
The government has repeatedly clarified that a discussion on the Election Commission's functioning is not possible, as it is unclear who would respond on behalf of the ECI. While the law ministry is the nodal ministry for electoral reforms, it cannot speak on the working of an autonomous body like the Election Commission of India.
Amid the stalemate and frequent adjournments, there appears to be a glimmer of hope before Parliament breaks for its five-day recess. Sources indicate that a consensus has emerged as opposition parties have agreed to take up and pass the National Sports Governance Bill.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is said to have played a key role in this breakthrough. In a meeting with sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya—also attended by the Speaker—opposition leaders signalled their willingness to debate the Bill on Tuesday, even if it means extending the sitting hours late into the evening.
On the Opposition's request to refer the Bill to a committee, the government has offered an alternative: any proposed amendments could be discussed and incorporated during the debate itself. This, they argue, is crucial for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics. If passed on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, then the legislation can be brought for passage in the Rajya Sabha next week after Parliament resumes. August 13-17 is a holiday for parliamentarians on account of Independence Day and Janmashtami.
The Bill, introduced by Mandaviya on July 23, recently saw an important amendment circulated to all MPs. It proposes that the BCCI and any other national sports federations be exempt from the RTI Act if they do not receive government funding—a key demand from several MPs, particularly those linked to cricket administration. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla is believed to have championed this provision.
The debate is now scheduled for Tuesday, August 12. The Congress, which had once tried to push a similar proposal during the UPA era under Ajay Maken but failed to build consensus, has agreed to support the discussion. However, some parties such as the DMK and TMC still maintain that no legislative business should proceed until the Election Commission issue is addressed.
If passed, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, will require all recognised sports bodies to comply with the RTI Act—ensuring transparency in decision-making, financial records, and governance. The Bill aims to overhaul Indian sports through structural reforms focusing on legal clarity, gender equality, athlete empowerment, and public accountability.
For decades, Indian sport has been hampered by mismanagement, opaque elections, and poor athlete representation. With over 350 court cases pending across sports federations, the judiciary has urged the government to implement a comprehensive governance framework.
Efforts to legislate such reforms date back to 2011, but have been repeatedly derailed by legal disputes, shifting political priorities, and unresolved court interventions. Endorsement of the 2011 Sports Code by the Delhi High Court, combined with lingering cases over the 2017 draft, stalled progress further.
This time, however, the Bill could mark the beginning of a new era—where athletes are not just players on the field but active stakeholders in shaping India's sporting future.
First Published:
August 11, 2025, 11:19 IST
News india As SIR Discussion Demand Stalls Parliament, Can Sports Bill Finally Break Deadlock?
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