Rajya Sabha rocked by Opposition protests on SIR, adjourned for day

No substantial work could be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as the Opposition members walked up to the well of the House, raising slogans to demand a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being undertaken in poll-bound Bihar and other issues. When the House met for the day, Deputy Chairperson Harivansh announced that he had received several notices for suspension of listed business to discuss matters of urgent importance under Rule 267. He rejected these notices, leading the members from Congress, Trinamool, DMK and other parties to question the move. The Opposition wanted a discussion on SIR, the detention of two nuns from the Durg Railway Station on allegedly false allegations of conversion and trafficking, and other issues. As the slogan shouting continued, the chair adjourned the House till noon.

The same scenario took place at noon as Vice Chairperson Ghanshyam Tewari took up the Question Hour. The House was adjourned within minutes as the Opposition raised slogans.

When the House assembled again at 2pm, Vice Chairperson Bhubaneswar Kalita tried to pacify the members and called Praful Patel (NCP) to speak on the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill. Opposition members shouted slogans alleging that the government is evading a discussion on key issues like SIR. Since a 16-hour discussion on Operation Sindoor is to be taken up on Tuesday, it is expected to run smoothly in the second half.