cpi-calls-bihar-sir-menace-to-democracy

Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Monday called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar a “huge menace to democracy” and said the Opposition would step up its protests against the exercise.

 

Sandosh Kumar said he had submitted a Suspension of Business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to raise the issue of the SIR.

 

“We have given notice under Rule 267 against SIR. SIR has become a huge menace to democracy. More than 65 lakh voters are excluded from the electoral lists published by the EC on August 1. Our apprehension about SIR has been proven quite right. We will intensify our protests,” he told the media agency.

 

He added that Parliament would witness coordinated action by non-NDA parties against the SIR in Bihar.

 

Sandosh Kumar said, “It’s pilot projects in Bihar and Manipur have also been announced. Many more Indian states will have to face this. So this must be stopped… You will see a more coordinated joint action of the non-NDA parties today in the House.”

 

Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged the Centre to agree to the Opposition’s demand to discuss the SIR in poll-bound Bihar in Parliament.

 

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “This (SIR exercise in Bihar) is a very serious issue. If this is happening in the voter list, then why shouldn’t we raise this issue? The government should agree to a discussion and move on.”

 

The INDIA bloc has continued protests inside Parliament, demanding a debate on the SIR. Earlier in the day, proceedings in the Lower House were adjourned till 2 PM amid Opposition protests.

 

Opposition MPs entered the well with placards during question hour, prompting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House.

 

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday also moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the SIR of electoral rolls carried out by the Election Commission of India in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections.

 

In his motion, Manickam Tagore alleged the SIR had “disproportionately affected” marginalised communities and warned that similar “targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal.”