The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Friday as opposition parties staged vociferous protests, demanding an immediate discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections. The uproar disrupted proceedings, halting private member bills and other scheduled business.

The session saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman withdraw the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, after the Select Committee submitted its report. However, the focus quickly shifted to the opposition’s agitation, with members raising slogans like “SIR wapas lo” (roll back SIR) and “SIR pe charcha karo” (discuss SIR). Some opposition MPs displayed placards and entered the Well of the House, while others were reprimanded for banging the Speaker’s table. Presiding officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti, a TDP member, sharply objected, stating, “This is not a drum. I take strong objection to banging the Lok Sabha Speaker’s table.”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed disappointment, accusing the opposition of wasting time and obstructing productive discussions. “The government is open to discussing all issues under the rules, but this disruption is unfortunate,” he said. Despite the chaos, the House managed to address five questions during a brief 23-minute Question Hour before being adjourned until 3 pm.

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Earlier, Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to former Lok Sabha member and ex-Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik, who passed away on August 5, and marked the anniversary of the Quit India Movement. However, these moments were overshadowed by the opposition’s relentless protests, which continued unabated, leading to the day’s adjournment.

The SIR exercise, initiated by the Election Commission in Bihar, has sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging irregularities in the voter list revision process. Their demand for a parliamentary debate underscores concerns about electoral transparency as Bihar prepares for its polls later this year.

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