The Rajya Sabha witnessed high drama and heated exchanges as the Monsoon Session took a turbulent turn. On Friday, the Upper House was adjourned till August 4 following relentless protests by Opposition members demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s voters list. The session, marked by sloganeering and disruptions, saw little progress as tempers flared on both sides.
As Ghanshyam Tiwari took the Chair, he faced an immediate challenge. Senior Congress MP Vivek Tankha stood to ask a question, but his voice was instantly drowned out by chants of “Vote ki chori band karo!” from the Opposition benches. The uproar left Tankha exasperated, prompting him to turn to the Chair and ask, “The House is not in order. What do I do?” Even Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s attempt to speak was futile as the protests continued unabated. With no sign of calm, the Chair had no choice but to adjourn the session.
The chaos had been brewing since the morning. Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced that 30 notices under Rule 267 had been received, all seeking to suspend regular business for urgent discussions. But none, he stated, met the required procedural standards. This decision further angered the Opposition, particularly because of their concerns over the Election Commission’s draft voters list for Bihar. Opposition MPs alleged that the SIR process was disenfranchising large numbers of voters under the pretext of verification.
A diverse group of MPs, including representatives from the Trinamool Congress, RJD, DMK, and Congress, pushed for the debate. Other issues were also raised, such as rising crimes against women in Odisha, discrimination against Bengali migrant workers, and the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh. Yet, the Deputy Chairman remained firm, citing the sub-judice nature of the SIR issue and the autonomy of the Election Commission.
Amid the turmoil, some official business did manage to proceed. Several ministers tabled reports on rural development and railways. The government also outlined its legislative agenda for the coming week, including bills related to maritime shipping, sports governance, and GST adjustments for Manipur. However, none of this could quell the Opposition’s resolve to keep pressing for their demands.
As the Rajya Sabha prepares to reconvene, tensions remain high. The Opposition is adamant about holding the government accountable, while the Chair is equally determined to uphold parliamentary procedure. The coming days promise more heated exchanges as the Monsoon Session continues.