Opposition Protest Over Bihar SIR Halts Rajya Sabha Proceedings; Kharge Slams Use of CISF
Opposition Protest Over Bihar SIR Halts Rajya Sabha Proceedings; Kharge Slams Use of CISF
The Rajya Sabha was unable to function on Friday, August 1, 2025, due to continued protests by the Opposition demanding a debate on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Chaos erupted after marshals prevented Opposition MPs from entering the well of the House, prompting Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to submit a written protest to Deputy Chairman Harivansh. At 11:00 a.m., Harivansh acknowledged receiving 30 adjournment notices, 21 of which pertained to SIR, but rejected them citing parliamentary precedent. RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha requested a discussion, but the Deputy Chairman declined, stating the matter is sub judice and under the purview of the Election Commission, a constitutional body.
Opposition MPs refused to relent, prompting the House to be adjourned until noon. Upon resumption, the protest intensified as leaders from TMC, DMK, and AAP entered the well. Security personnel attempted to block their path, but some members pushed through, forcing another adjournment—this time for the entire day.
Following this, Kharge wrote to Harivansh expressing deep concern over the presence of CISF personnel inside the chamber. Sharing the letter publicly, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized what he called the militarization of the House, especially after the recent unexpected resignation of the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Kharge condemned the repeated deployment of security forces within the well, terming it “shocking” and a serious threat to democratic norms. He insisted that members must be allowed to raise critical public issues without intimidation. TMC’s Derek O’Brien echoed this sentiment, claiming that the government is disrupting Parliament by ignoring repeated Opposition requests for a debate on SIR, despite ten sessions of the monsoon session having already passed.