Opposition protest over SIR stalls Lok Sabha proceedings

New Delhi: The day after Parliament completed the debate on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor, the opposition resumed its protest in the Lok Sabha on Thursday against the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, stalling the proceedings and forcing multiple adjournments. With the opposition's political focus turning to the upcoming assembly election in Bihar, the protest against SIR may cast its shadow on the remaining monsoon session of Parliament.

As soon as the House assembled in the morning, the MPs belonging to the opposition INDIA bloc started protesting by demanding a discussion on the SIR and calling for the withdrawal of the Election Commission's drive in Bihar. The protest plan had been firmed up at a meeting of the INDIA bloc floor leaders earlier in the morning. As the opposition MPs indulged in sloganeering, entered the well of the House and waved placards, speaker Om Bira adjourned the House till 2 pm.

When Lok Sabha reassembled, the opposition members repeated their protest against the SIR drive. Samajwadi Party MP Awadesh Prasad, who was in the speaker's chair, asked members to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue. Papers were laid on the table amid sloganeering. Within six minutes, Prasad adjourned the House till 4 pm.


At 4 pm, commerce minister Piyush Goyal made a statement on US President Donald Trump's declaration of levy of 25% tariff on India from August 1. The opposition allowed the minister's statement but resumed its protests. The House was adjourned for the day within nine minutes. The INDIA bloc MPs also staged a protest outside Parliament complex.