On Day 2 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were abruptly adjourned after the Opposition parties stormed the well of the House in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Bihar.

The session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, began with high tension as MPs from multiple Opposition parties raised slogans and carried placards, criticising the revision drive as unjustified and politically motivated.

The session, which had just commenced, lasted barely two minutes before the Speaker announced an adjournment amidst the uproar.

Opposition Alleges Political Motive Behind Electoral Roll Revision

The primary target of the protest was the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process launched in Bihar, which the Opposition alleges is similar in nature to the controversial NRC process and aimed at disenfranchising marginalised communities.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore had moved a notice seeking discussion and accountability on the revision process. However, due to the noisy protest, no business could be transacted and the House was adjourned immediately.

Opposition MPs accused the Election Commission and the Central Government of bypassing due process and not involving stakeholders in decisions that may impact voter eligibility in the upcoming elections.

Post-Adjournment Protest Outside Lok Sabha

After the House adjourned, Opposition MPs staged a protest outside the Makar Dwar of Parliament, shouting slogans and holding placards that questioned the legality and intent behind the SIR.

Leaders from the Congress, RJD, CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, and other like-minded parties stood in unity, describing the SIR process as a threat to democracy and an attempt to manipulate electoral rolls before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

The Opposition's unified stand suggests that this issue will dominate parliamentary discussions in the days to come.

What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Special Intensive Revision is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to update, verify, and clean the voter rolls in a particular region. However, in Bihar’s case, critics argue that it has taken the form of a census-like enumeration, requiring residents to produce documents to prove their citizenship.

This has led to widespread fear and speculation, particularly among minority and marginalised communities, about the possibility of exclusion from voter lists. The process has been especially controversial because citizenship verification is not the mandate of the Election Commission, but of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Congress Draws Parallel With NRC

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar recently drew a direct parallel between the Bihar SIR and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying:

“The Election Commission is overstepping its mandate. The SIR is being used as a political tool and must be stopped.”

The Congress has demanded that the government immediately halt the SIR in Bihar, and initiate a broader parliamentary discussion on such practices.

Government Yet to Issue Clarification

Despite the intensity of the protest, there has been no official statement from either the Union Law Ministry or the Election Commission of India regarding the concerns raised.

Union Ministers JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju, who were scheduled to address the matter in the Business Advisory Committee, did not attend the second BAC meeting, further fueling suspicions and leading to more Opposition anger.

Political Stakes High in Bihar

Bihar remains a politically sensitive state with Assembly elections due in late 2025. Any move that could affect the voter base is bound to generate strong reactions. Opposition leaders believe that the timing of the SIR indicates a deliberate strategy to alter electoral demographics in favour of the ruling parties.

The issue could potentially lead to legal challenges, public mobilisation, and even street-level protests, given its socio-political ramifications.

Conclusion

The protests in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar are not just about an administrative exercise. They raise deep questions about electoral integrity, citizenship rights, and political transparency in India.

As the Opposition tightens its focus on this issue, the government and the Election Commission will be under growing pressure to clarify, justify, or roll back aspects of the ongoing revision process.

The Monsoon Session may see more disruptions and debates, as the SIR controversy threatens to become a national political flashpoint in the weeks ahead.

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