The Bihar Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Tuesday as opposition MLAs, dressed in black to protest the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, disrupted proceedings, leading Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav to adjourn the House until 2 p.m. The uproar, marked by slogan-shouting and placard-waving in the well of the House, stalled the Question Hour within 30 minutes of the 11 a.m. start.

The opposition, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Congress, and Left parties, demands a discussion on the SIR, alleging it risks disenfranchising millions, particularly the poor and minorities, ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. On Monday, Yadav had pressed the Speaker for a debate, warning against any reluctance. Before Tuesday’s session, opposition MLAs staged a demonstration at the assembly’s entrance, wearing black clothes and raising anti-SIR slogans, accusing the Election Commission and NDA government of colluding to manipulate voter lists.

Speaker Yadav, visibly perplexed, urged decorum, noting the live telecast and upcoming elections, saying, “Do not strain your vocal chords for the campaign.” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, present in the House, briefly retorted with a Bihari slang, “tohre hai hai,” dismissing the opposition’s protests. A heated exchange followed between the Speaker and RJD’s Alok Mehta, who sought to speak but was told to ensure his colleagues returned to their seats first.

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The SIR, announced by the ECI on June 24, 2025, requires voters to submit enumerationთ1 verification forms by July 25, 2025, sparking fears of exclusion due to stringent documentation. The Supreme Court is set to hear challenges to the SIR on July 10, with petitioners like the Association for Democratic Reforms claiming it violates voting rights.

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