New Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, on Wednesday, informed the Lok Sabha that a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar could not take place in the Lok Sabha as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court and the rules do not allow discussion on issues under adjudication.
The Lok Sabha was repeatedly disrupted by Opposition members on Wednesday on the issue. As soon as the House convened at 2 pm, after two earlier disruptions, the Opposition continued to demand a discussion on the electoral revision issue. Rijiju, however, said the rules of the Lok Sabha did not permit such a discussion.
The minister cited a ruling by former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, stating that the functioning and responsibilities of an autonomous body such as the Election Commission of India (ECI) could not be deliberated in the House.
“I would like to ask the Opposition members if you want to break the rules of this House and throw away the provisions of the Constitution,” Rijiju said.
Thereafter, the Lok Sabha passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant vessels and provide for investigations and inquiries into marine casualties.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Bill amid protests and sloganeering by Opposition members. The legislation empowers the Centre to take charge of and detain vessels in Indian or coastal waters as “vessels without nationality” if such vessels are not legally entitled to fly the flag of a state, or have lost such a right.
The House was adjourned for the day following the passage of the Bill.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal described the SIR as an exercise “to remove targeted voters”.
“The Election Commission introduced the system, they [the Union government] are justifying. Then why are they running away from a discussion on SIR in Parliament? What do they want to hide? The people of India would like to know why this SIR is happening,” Venugopal said.
INDI Alliance bloc MPs staged a protest in the Parliament complex before proceedings commenced. The morning session of the Lok Sabha also saw two adjournments over the same issue. As soon as the House met at 11 am, Speaker Om Birla adjourned proceedings till noon, stating that the Opposition was not interested in the proper functioning of the House.
When the House reconvened at noon, Opposition members entered the Well, prompting Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, to urge them to return to their seats.
“Entire country is sad because of your [Opposition members’] action. You should have a constructive discussion in the House and not disrupt the proceedings,” Saikia said before adjourning the House till 2 pm, as the protests continued.
It has been alleged that the draft electoral rolls for Bihar published by the ECI on August 1 have left out the names of 65 lakh voters. The Supreme Court is hearing the matter.