Winter Session: Rijiju Warns ‘No Conditions’ as Centre Agrees to Debate SIR; Opposition Walks Out
Opposition forces Centre to debate controversial voter roll revision amid “vote theft” fears.
The Union Government on Tuesday signalled its willingness to hold a parliamentary debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, marking a significant concession after two consecutive days of chaotic disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre is fully prepared to discuss both the ongoing SIR exercise and wider electoral reforms, but firmly cautioned the Opposition against attaching any preconditions or insisting on a rigid timeline now that the government has accepted their core demand in principle.
The breakthrough announcement followed intense protests by INDIA bloc MPs, who gathered in large numbers outside Parliament’s historic Makar Dwar carrying massive banners that read “Stop SIR – Stop Vote Chori” and raised slogans accusing the government of attempting to manipulate voter lists ahead of crucial elections.
Also Read: Rijiju Says Govt Open to Debate on Electoral Roll Revision, Rejects Opposition’s Immediate Demand
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, reiterated that more than fourteen Opposition parties have submitted notices under Rule 267, which mandates suspension of all other business, and argued that the seriousness of alleged deletions and irregularities in the SIR process across twelve states and Union Territories demands immediate and undivided parliamentary attention.
Opposition members walked out of Rajya Sabha after their plea to prioritise SIR was overruled in favour of a scheduled discussion on ‘Vande Mataram’. TMC leader Derek O’Brien dramatically claimed “people are dying because of SIR”, highlighting the intensity of protests against the Election Commission’s ongoing voter list revision.
Leader of the House JP Nadda reinforced the government’s position, confirming that a meeting with Opposition leaders would be convened “very soon” to finalise the discussion schedule, while maintaining that Parliament cannot operate mechanically under external pressure.
The controversy stems from the Election Commission’s second-phase SIR launched on October 27 across nine States and three Union Territories, affecting nearly half of India’s electorate. Opposition parties allege the exercise is poorly planned and politically motivated, prompting protests in both Houses and forcing Tuesday’s Lok Sabha adjournment.
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