Will the discussion on SIR change the picture of Parliament? After the loud uproar of the opposition, slogans of ‘Vote Chor-Gaddi Chhod’ and repeated adjournments in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, questions arose – why is the government avoiding the SIR debate? The heat of democracy is clearly visible in the corridors of Parliament.
New Delhi. The winter session of Parliament 2025 was marred by huge uproar for the second consecutive day. The opposition is completely adamant on its demand for discussion on SIR. As soon as Lok Sabha proceedings began on Tuesday morning, opposition MPs started raising slogans of ‘vote thief-gaddi chhod’. Some MPs reached the well, disrupting the proceedings for 20 minutes and later it had to be adjourned first at 12 noon, then at 2 pm and then at 11 am on December 3. The same atmosphere was seen in Rajya Sabha also.
Opposition necessary to protect democracy: Kharge
The opposition says that SIR should be discussed immediately, while the government claims that it is ready for discussion but it is not possible within the stipulated time frame. There is continuous conflict between the two houses on this issue. At 10:30 am, the opposition also demonstrated in front of the Makar Gate of the Parliament complex, in which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several senior leaders took part. Kharge said that protest is necessary to protect democracy and the government is avoiding discussion.
Is the government avoiding discussion on SIR? Why is this stubbornness of the opposition increasing?
The opposition alleges that the government is holding back from bringing SIR in the House, whereas this issue is related to the voters and election system of the country. According to sources, the opposition has also suggested that if the government wants, it can use ‘Electoral Reform’ or any other name instead of the word ‘SIR’, but the issue remains the same – electoral transparency. On behalf of the government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had said that the government is ready to discuss any issue, but the opposition is trying to impose a deadline. BJP MP Damodar Aggarwal taunted and said that the people of Bihar have already settled the SIR issue, the opposition is only blaming SIR for the election defeat.
Why did the uproar inside the House increase so much that the proceedings had to be adjourned again and again?
As soon as the question hour started in the Lok Sabha, the opposition MPs reached the well and kept raising slogans. Due to the uproar, normal proceedings could not proceed for 20 minutes. Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings in view of the situation and decided to call an all-party meeting at 3 pm. The situation in Rajya Sabha was also no different. Here too, due to sloganeering and continuous protests, the proceedings had to be stopped several times and then adjourned.
Can a 10-hour discussion on Vande Mataram create a new controversy?
Media reports have claimed that the government can hold a 10-hour long discussion in the House on the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram. This discussion is likely to take place on Thursday and Friday and the Prime Minister may also participate in it. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has raised questions on the notification issued in Rajya Sabha regarding slogans like ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ and demanded its withdrawal.
Now what next? Will there be a discussion on SIR or will the session again go to waste?
The current situation shows that the opposition is in no mood to retreat without discussion. The government is saying that it is ready for talks, but the opposition should not impose a deadline. Now eyes are on the all-party meeting and the next decision of the Business Advisory Committee. The question is whether Parliament will reach a consensus on SIR or will this session also become useless due to the continuous uproar, mired in controversies?