Parliament Winter Session: Parliamentary Standoff: Opposition Protests Over 'SIR' and 'Vote Theft' Allegations, Houses Adjourned

Parliament witnessed a second consecutive day of intense protests by the opposition, leading to disruptions and adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Opposition members raised slogans against the government over the issue of 'SIR' and allegations of 'vote theft,' creating a tense atmosphere within the legislative chambers.

Opposition Creates Uproar in Parliament

As soon as the Lok Sabha proceedings commenced at 11 AM, all opposition MPs began shouting slogans. Chants of 'Vot Chor - Gaddi Chhod' (Vote Thief - Leave the Throne) resonated through the house, with some members even moving into the well. Despite the uproar, the Speaker attempted to continue with the Question Hour, but the opposition persisted with their slogans for a continuous 20 minutes. This sustained disruption ultimately led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha, first until 12 PM and then further until 2 PM. A similar scene unfolded in the Rajya Sabha, where opposition protests and. Sloganeering over the 'SIR' issue also forced an adjournment until 2 PM.

Protest Essential to Save Democracy: Kharge

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, underscored the importance of the ongoing protests in Parliament, stating they're necessary to protect democracy. He asserted that 'SIR' is an urgent and critical matter that the government must discuss immediately. Kharge, demanding an immediate discussion on 'SIR' in the Rajya Sabha, emphasized its urgency. Earlier in the day, at 10:30 AM, the opposition had also staged a protest for the second consecutive day outside Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex, reiterating their demand for an immediate discussion on 'SIR' by the government.

Government's Stance and Discussion on Electoral Reforms

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is prepared to discuss 'SIR' and electoral reforms, while he appealed to the opposition not to impose a timeline for such discussions. Rijiju indicated that the government has initiated a consultation process on the matter and a decision will be made soon, though he expressed reservations about the opposition's demand for a specific timeframe. According to sources, the opposition has also proposed that if the government is reluctant to use the term 'SIR,' it could list the subject for discussion under 'Electoral Reform' or any other suitable name, while there is a possibility that the government might agree to this suggestion and present its stance to the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

Sharp Exchanges Between MPs

Amidst the parliamentary deadlock, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury delivered a sharp retort to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's statement. Rijiju had commented that 'the opposition finds excuses to not let the House? Function,' to which Chowdhury responded, 'If you're incompetent, what can we do? If you don't know how to run it, what can we do? Should we not raise issues, while we're MPs, and it's our duty to raise the voice of the people. ' This exchange highlights the escalating political friction in Parliament, with both sides trading accusations.

Possible 10-Hour Debate on Vande Mataram

According to media reports, the government might facilitate a 10-hour discussion in Parliament on 'Vande Mataram' to commemorate its 150th anniversary. This debate is tentatively scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi potentially participating. The proposal for this discussion was initially put forward by several ruling party members during the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Rajya Sabha on September 30. However, no official statement has been released regarding this yet. This potential debate could become a significant agenda item in the current parliamentary session, shifting focus to a different subject amidst the ongoing 'SIR' deadlock.

Parliamentary Proceedings Repeatedly Adjourned

When the Lok Sabha reconvened at 12 PM, the opposition once again initiated protests, demanding a discussion on 'SIR. ' Presiding Officer PC Mohan, observing the situation, adjourned the proceedings until 2 PM. The Rajya Sabha faced a similar fate, with its proceedings also adjourned until 2 PM following the uproar. This marks the second consecutive day that both Houses of Parliament have seen their proceedings disrupted due to opposition protests, leading to delays in crucial legislative work, while the opposition remains firm on its demand for an immediate and comprehensive discussion on 'SIR,' while the government emphasizes adherence to procedural rules.