New Delhi: Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Friday as the Monsoon Session continued to be disrupted by the Opposition’s vociferous protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The INDIA bloc demanded an immediate discussion on the issue, alleging irregularities and raising concerns over voter disenfranchisement.
Repeated Disruptions, Adjournments
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were stalled shortly after they began, with loud sloganeering by Opposition MPs forcing an adjournment till noon. The House resumed briefly before being adjourned again till 3 pm. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the entire day.
The disruptions occurred during Question Hour, with MPs from the INDIA bloc holding placards and shouting slogans demanding the withdrawal of the SIR and accountability from the Election Commission. The Opposition claims the revision is discriminatory and designed to manipulate the voter list in Bihar.
Rijiju Hints at Passing Bills Without Debate
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that if disruptions continue, the government may be compelled to press ahead with legislative business without debate. “We are left with no choice. In the national interest, we may consider passing bills even without discussion if this situation persists,” he told reporters outside Parliament.
Several key bills, including those related to finance and criminal law reforms, remain pending.
Opposition Plans EC March on August 11
The INDIA bloc has announced a march to the Election Commission’s office on August 11 to protest the SIR exercise in Bihar. Speaking to the media, Opposition leaders accused the government of evading debate to hide uncomfortable facts. “There’s a clear attempt to avoid scrutiny. The government has a lot to hide on the Bihar SIR issue,” said Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Internal Differences Emerge
While the Opposition appeared united inside the House, reports suggest some friction among the INDIA bloc allies. Smaller parties are reportedly urging the larger constituents to consider allowing Parliament to function to ensure debate on other pressing national issues. These appeals have so far been rejected by the major Opposition parties.
Rahul Gandhi Hosts Unity Dinner
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, hosted a dinner meeting at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday evening (August 7) for leaders of the INDIA bloc. The gathering aimed to strengthen opposition unity and discuss critical issues, primarily the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of voter fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Around 50 leaders from 25 parties attended, including prominent figures like Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Kamal Haasan.
During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi presented a PowerPoint titled “Democracy Destroyed,” detailing alleged electoral malpractices in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency, claiming over one lakh votes were “stolen” through manipulation. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission (EC) of collusion in what he called a “huge criminal fraud.” Tejashwi Yadav briefed attendees on the SIR exercise in Bihar, alleging it could disenfranchise voters, and invited leaders to a protest march in Patna on September 1. Other issues raised included Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood and a ban on certain books, with Farooq Abdullah criticizing the latter as unconstitutional.
The dinner was described as a “positive” and informal meeting, reinforcing the opposition’s unity in Parliament and their resolve to challenge the government on electoral issues. The INDIA bloc planned a protest march to the EC office in New Delhi on August 11, 2025, to address these concerns. Discussions on fielding a joint candidate for the Vice-Presidential election on September 9 were limited, with some leaders expressing caution. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was notably absent, having distanced itself from the INDIA bloc after the 2024 elections.
No Legislative Progress
With just a few working days left in the Monsoon Session, no significant legislative business has been transacted over the past two weeks due to repeated adjournments and protests. The standoff between the treasury and opposition benches shows no signs of resolution.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to reconvene at 3 pm today, while the Rajya Sabha will resume on Monday.
