New Delhi [India], August 1 : Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday clarified that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules, but there cannot be a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, the Election Commission of India.
"I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time..." Rijiju told ANI.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament has been disrupted due to the opposition's protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The opposition alleges that the SIR exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections.
They claim that the large-scale deletions of voter names could be politically motivated, targeting marginalised communities and migrants.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of attempting to interfere with Bihar's voter rolls.
The government has defended the SIR exercise, saying it's a transparent process with participation from all political parties and extensive public involvement. The Election Commission of India emphasised that names will not be deleted without proper notice and written orders.
The Election Commission is set to publish the draft electoral rolls for Bihar, allowing claims and objections to be filed until September 1, 2025.
Opposition MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, have submitted adjournment motions and Rule 267 notices demanding a discussion on the SIR issue in both Houses.
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned multiple times due to the opposition's sloganeering and protests.
Earlier in the day, Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday and raised the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in poll-bound Bihar.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi stated that anyone in the Election Commission of India involved in the SIR exercise will not be "spared".
"Most importantly, whoever in the Elections Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India, and this is no less than treason," he said.
Earlier today, Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc parties protested in front of Makar Dawar in Parliament.
The Parliament proceedings in both houses witnessed sloganeering as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the SIR.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House minutes after it convened.
Before adjourning the house, Lok Sabha Speaker said, "You are not representing the public by sloganeering. People have given you an opportunity to put their issues in the House."
"This is wrong behaviour. You should follow parliamentary rules. If we have to strengthen democracy, issues have to be raised," he added.