Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition SIR Uproar
Protests over Bihar voter list stall all House business
Rajya Sabha proceedings came to a complete halt on Friday as fierce protests by Opposition members over the Special Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) in Bihar led to the adjournment of the House for the day. The ruckus began early in the session, with lawmakers shouting slogans and demanding a discussion on the SIR exercise, which they claim is politically motivated and timed just ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The uproar disrupted both the Zero Hour and Question Hour, with several Opposition MPs storming into the Well of the House.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh informed the House that he had received 30 adjournment notices under Rule 267, covering a range of issues, including the SIR, alleged discrimination against Bengali migrant workers, the U.S. tariff hike on Indian goods, and mass layoffs in the IT sector. However, he stated that none of the notices adhered to the Chair’s guidelines and were therefore rejected. His decision triggered further outrage among the Opposition benches.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha was briefly allowed to speak and pressed for a discussion on the voter list revision. However, Harivansh cited House rules and the matter’s sub judice status to deny the request, urging members to maintain order. Despite repeated appeals, the protests continued unabated, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House within minutes of reconvening.
Also Read: Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha Halts Over Bihar Voter Roll Uproar
As per the day's agenda, the House was scheduled to debate the continuance of President’s Rule in Manipur and take up the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, along with private members' business. However, the sustained uproar meant no legislative business could be conducted. The House will meet again on Monday, with the issue of the electoral roll revision expected to remain a flashpoint between the government and the Opposition.
