Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amidst Heated Protests Over Voter List Revision

Tensions Rise in Rajya Sabha

On a rainy Friday in New Delhi, the Rajya Sabha witnessed escalating tensions and loud protests, leading to an adjournment that postponed all proceedings until the following Monday.

The catalyst for this uproar was a call for a discussion regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar, a matter that has sparked significant concern across various political factions.

As the afternoon session resumed, Ghanshyam Tiwari took the Chair, striving to restore order and continue with the agenda. He invited Congress MP Vivek Tankha from Madhya Pradesh to present his question. However, his voice was drowned out by chants from the Opposition, with slogans like 'Vote ki chori band karo!' resonating throughout the chamber.

Tankha, visibly frustrated, turned to the Chair for guidance, asking, 'The House is not in order. What do I do?' Before a response could be given, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, attempted to speak but was similarly silenced by the uproar.

Despite repeated calls for calm, the chaos continued, prompting Tiwari to announce the adjournment of the House until Monday (August 4).

The disruption had been brewing since the morning session. When the Rajya Sabha convened, Deputy Chairman Harivansh revealed that 30 notices had been submitted under Rule 267, each requesting the suspension of regular business to address urgent public issues. However, he stated that none met the necessary procedural criteria for consideration.

This ruling sparked immediate backlash, as the Opposition, already mobilized by the Election Commission of India's draft roll publication in Bihar, perceived the denial as a calculated effort to stifle debate.

A diverse coalition of Opposition MPs, including Mohammad Nadimul Haque (Trinamool Congress), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), and others, sought to discuss the SIR, claiming it disenfranchised millions of voters under the pretext of verification.

Additionally, members from Odisha called for discussions on the increasing violence against women and children, while West Bengal MPs highlighted discrimination faced by Bengali migrant workers.

Jebi Mather (Congress) and CPI(M)'s A.A. Rahim demanded a conversation regarding the recent arrest of two nuns in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Sanjay Singh (AAP) and Ramjilal Suman (SP) urged a discussion on the economic repercussions of tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump, while CPI(M)'s V. Sivadasan raised concerns about mass layoffs in the Indian IT sector.

Despite numerous interventions, including a direct appeal from Manoj Kumar Jha, the Deputy Chairman remained steadfast, citing the sub-judice status of the SIR and the Election Commission's constitutional authority, asserting that Zero Hour and Question Hour could not be repurposed for suspended business. This only fueled further protests.

Ashok Kumar Mittal of the Aam Aadmi Party attempted to present his Zero Hour notice, but his voice was lost amid the clamor. Slogans such as 'Vote chori band karo' and 'Kesaria pe halla bol' echoed throughout the House.

The Speaker attempted to reason with the members, stating, 'Pura desh dekh raha hai… aap jan samasya nahi uthane de rahe hain, aap rules follow nahi karna chahte (the whole nation is watching... you are not allowing people's issues to be raised... you don't want to follow rules).' However, the noise persisted, leading to the adjournment.

Earlier in the day, amidst the turmoil, several ministers managed to table official documents. Ministers Jitendra Prasada, Ram Nath Thakur, Dr. L. Murugan, and others presented reports on rural development and railways, including updates from various reports of the Standing Committee on Railways.

The government also outlined its legislative agenda for the upcoming week, which included the extension of Presidential Rule for another six months, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, and several other significant bills. A Bill to adjust Scheduled Tribe representation in Goa was also scheduled for introduction.

As the House prepares to reconvene next week, the atmosphere remains charged, with the Opposition steadfast in its demand for accountability, while the Chair remains committed to adhering to procedural norms.