Rajya Sabha Disrupted as Kharge Labels SIR Drive Fraudulent, Chairman Rejects Allegations

The Rajya Sabha descended into chaos on Tuesday as Opposition leaders accused the government of electoral malpractice during the ongoing SIR (Special Identification Registration) exercise in poll-bound states. Minutes after the House convened, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge called the SIR exercise a “fraud,” prompting a sharp exchange with House Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, who rejected the allegations and refused to let proceedings be derailed.

Kharge, backed by Congress MPs, alleged that the voter verification drive—currently underway in states including Tamil Nadu and West Bengal—was fraught with irregularities aimed at influencing upcoming elections. “Everywhere, SIR is going fraud to win elections including Tamil Nadu, Bengal and elsewhere,” he said, while Congress MPs echoed his claims with slogans, creating a noisy and disruptive atmosphere in the Upper House.

Chairman Radhakrishnan intervened repeatedly, rejecting Kharge’s accusations. “In Tamil Nadu, it is not,” he stated, and later added, “You see the situation in Bengal. This is not correct, what you are saying is not correct.” Despite repeated attempts by Kharge and his party colleagues to continue their protest, the Chairman maintained order, refusing to allow further interruptions.

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The controversy follows earlier concerns raised by Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress, who described the SIR exercise as a violation of citizens’ rights under the guise of voter verification. O’Brien also criticised the Chief Election Commissioner, calling the exercise “highly unreliable” and suggesting it could disproportionately benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Opposition’s uproar highlights the political sensitivities surrounding electoral reforms and voter verification processes ahead of critical state elections. Congress and the INDIA Bloc have argued that such drives may undermine public trust in the electoral system, raising questions about the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission.

As proceedings resumed, the House continued under strict procedural control, with Chairman Radhakrishnan asserting authority to maintain decorum while the debate over the SIR exercise remains unresolved. The standoff underscores the growing tension between the government and Opposition on issues related to electoral integrity in India’s upcoming elections.

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