Rajya Sabha proceedings came to a complete halt on Friday, August 8, 2025, as Opposition members staged vociferous protests over multiple issues, leading to the House being adjourned for the day shortly after noon. The disruptions centered on demands for discussions under Rule 267, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of "vote theft" raised by the Congress regarding discrepancies in voter lists in a Karnataka assembly constituency. Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected 20 such notices, criticizing their use as a tool to create disorder, which only fueled further uproar from Opposition benches, resulting in two adjournments and no productive business conducted.

The session began with the laying of papers, but quickly descended into chaos as MPs from parties like Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), and DMK pressed for immediate debates. Ghanshyam Tiwari, presiding later, attempted to proceed with Question Hour, but unrelenting slogans and protests drowned out Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu's responses, with Bittu countering by accusing the Opposition of similar "theft" tactics. The House managed only brief moments before adjourning until Monday, August 11, marking another day lost in what has been a turbulent monsoon session, with over 56 hours wasted so far on disruptions, allowing just 13 starred questions and a handful of special mentions.

The SIR issue in Bihar stems from the Election Commission's directive for a targeted revision of voter rolls in select constituencies, aimed at updating records ahead of potential by-elections or the 2025 assembly polls, but Opposition parties claim it could lead to voter suppression or manipulation, especially in areas with high migrant populations. In Karnataka, Congress allegations point to irregularities in the Chikballapur assembly segment, where thousands of voters were reportedly deleted or added suspiciously, echoing broader concerns over electoral integrity following the 2023 state elections that saw the party form the government. These protests reflect growing anxieties over fair polls, with similar disruptions occurring in previous sessions, such as during the 2024 budget debates when Opposition walkouts led to multiple adjournments.

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This pattern of washouts has severely impacted parliamentary productivity, with experts noting that the current session has seen a 40 percent drop in effective working hours compared to the previous year, hindering discussions on key bills like economic reforms and climate policies. Deputy Chairman Harivansh referenced former Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu's rulings to highlight the misuse of Rule 267, while Opposition leaders like Derek O'Brien pledged unified notices on SIR from Monday, and John Brittas suggested scrapping the rule altogether if not honored in practice. The ongoing standoff underscores deepening divides between the treasury and Opposition benches, potentially delaying legislative progress amid upcoming state elections in Bihar and Karnataka.

Broader context reveals that such adjournments are not isolated, with Rajya Sabha losing over 1,000 hours to protests in the last five years, often over issues like farm laws in 2021 or Manipur violence in 2023, prompting calls for procedural reforms to ensure smoother functioning. As the session nears its end, the repeated disruptions risk stalling urgent national agendas, including responses to economic slowdowns and regional security concerns, while amplifying public frustration over parliamentary gridlock.

Also Read: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Fierce Opposition Protests Over Bihar Voter Roll Revision