The Centre on Wednesday declined the Opposition's persistent demand to initiate a debate on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stating that the matter is currently sub judice before the Supreme Court and therefore cannot be discussed in Parliament.
Resuming proceedings at 2 PM after repeated adjournments earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was again disrupted by Opposition MPs demanding a detailed discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission in the poll-bound state.
Rijiju, addressing the House, pointed to constitutional provisions and rules of procedure that explicitly prohibit the discussion of matters under judicial consideration.
“The government has been very open to taking up discussion on any matter. However, any discussion in the Parliament has to be in accordance with constitutional provisions and also in accordance with the rules as prescribed in the procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha,” he said.
Referring to the Opposition’s protests, Rijiju said, “On the issue of intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar for which they are disturbing the House from the first day of the session, we all know that the matter is under consideration of the Supreme Court and as such it is sub judice and hence a discussion cannot be held on the subject.”
He further added, “It has been clearly established in this House itself that matters falling under the domain of the Election Commission of India cannot be discussed in this House.” He reiterated that the Election Commission functions as an independent constitutional authority and Parliament must respect that autonomy.
Also read: Parliament logjam over SIR debate, both Houses adjourned
The minister urged MPs to set aside disruptions and engage constructively in ongoing legislative work. “I urge the members not to disrupt the House. There are important bills to be taken up. The Sports Bill is listed for today, but we will take it up later because we want discussions,” he said.
While Parliament remained locked in a standoff, the Opposition stepped up its parallel campaign outside the House. MPs belonging to INDIA bloc parties staged a protest in the Parliament complex, demanding the rollback of SIR and a debate in both Houses.
Over ten petitions challenging the SIR process are pending before the Supreme Court, including those filed by opposition parties and the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, the lead petitioner. The petitioners allege that the SIR exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters on a wide scale.
Meanwhile, a letter signed by leaders of several Opposition parties was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting that the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, be referred to a joint committee for scrutiny, citing the national importance of the proposed legislation.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who joined the protest on Wednesday, criticised the government’s approach. “They have become so weak that neither are they able to face US President Donald Trump, nor are they able to run Parliament,” she said.
“It is a very simple thing, we are only asking for a discussion (on SIR). It is very easy for them to resolve this within five minutes. They should discuss it; what is the harm? Our viewpoint will come forth, their viewpoint will come forth, it will be over,” said the Wayanad MP, raising slogans alongside fellow protestors.
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