Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: Both Houses adjourned; Oppn continues to protest over SIR debate

On Bihar SIR, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, "It is a very serious issue. The Election Commission has said that 65 lakh voters have been removed from Bihar for various reasons, and also said that out of these 65 lakh people, 6.5 lakh voters are now registered in Tamil Nadu. How does this happen? I can't believe that 6.5 lakh people/migrant workers from Bihar are permanent residents in Tamil Nadu. This is diabolical. We will never allow this kind of forced changing of the character of Tamil Nadu's electoral constituencies." (ANI)

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Union minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, addressing the Opposition's protest over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the assembly election, criticised their stance. He claimed the protestors are opposing a constitutionally valid process.

Singh said, "Those who are protesting against SIR want fraud in elections. This is the decision of the Election Commission, and the decision of the Election Commission is absolutely correct because it is in accordance with the Constitution. The Constitution says that only a citizen of this country will be a voter in this country... They want that even those who are not citizens of this country should be kept on the voter list, where does this happen? This does not happen anywhere in the entire world..."

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey condoled the death of former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren, acknowledging his role in shaping the state's political landscape.

“I had the opportunity to work with him in Parliament. He made a significant contribution to advancing the JMM government to its current position. His death is a great loss for Jharkhand. I pray to Baba Baidyanath for Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his family,” Dubey said.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Monday due to noisy protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar and other issues.

When the House met at 11 am, opposition MPs, including Congress, were on their feet, raising slogans and holding up placards.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Proceedings in both Houses were adjourned – Lok Sabha following a ruckus over the SIR debate related to the Bihar Assembly elections, and Rajya Sabha after paying tribute to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who passed away this morning.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Parliamentary proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha commenced on Monday morning but were disrupted by uproar from the Opposition, who have been demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.

The Congress has earlier claimed that the SIR exercise has “disproportionately affected” marginalised groups and cautioned that such “targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal.”

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Union minister Pralhad Joshi criticised the Opposition for demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Parliament, accusing them of undermining constitutional bodies. He said, “These people have no faith in the Election Commission, Supreme Court, High Court, and CAG.”

Referring to the ongoing Parliament session, Joshi added, “The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has time and again given clarification. They first demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor, we agreed to it. Prior to that they wasted one full week. This is what they are doing again.”

The minister defended the SIR process, stating, “SIR is not happening for the first time in the country... This time, the use of technology is being made. What are they scared of?” He also highlighted the procedural safeguards in place, saying, “There is a three level scope of appeal, which they can file.” He concluded by criticising the Opposition’s disruption of proceedings: “But it's wrong not to let the Parliament function.”

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Congress MP KC Venugopal announced that INDIA bloc leaders will convene in the national capital on August 7 as part of their push for a parliamentary debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections.

"There will be a get-together on August 7 in Delhi. INDIA alliance leaders will be there," Venugopal told ANI.

Criticising the Election Commission for allegedly undermining democratic principles, Venugopal said the Congress will expose what he called “serious malpractices” by the poll body during a press meet in Bengaluru on August 5. He claimed that several names have been left out of Bihar’s draft electoral rolls.

"We are protesting against SIR inside and outside Parliament. The Election Commission is systematically targeting the democratic values of this country. We expected neutrality from the Election Commission, but they are not doing so. The names of many voters have been excluded from the list in Bihar. How can a fair democracy run like this? We are going to reveal the serious malpractices of the Election Commission in Bengaluru on August 5," the Congress MP said.

According to sources quoted by ANI, the meeting of INDIA bloc leaders will take place over dinner at the residence of Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on August 7.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Congress MP Hibi Eden on Monday submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to raise the issue of the recent arrest of two Kerala-based Catholic nuns and a tribal youth in Chhattisgarh on human trafficking charges.

In his notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, Eden stated: "To discuss the arrest of two Catholic nuns and a tribal youth. The victims have now lodged a complaint against Bajrang Dal activists, necessitating a thorough investigation. Given the gravity and implications for communal harmony, I request the House to adjourn its business to discuss this matter."

He seeks to bring up various aspects of the case, including the course of investigation, and urges that the matter be withdrawn from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Congress MP Mallu Ravi said he has submitted an adjournment motion to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, seeking time to raise what he called a crucial issue concerning Telangana. He noted that the state has passed 42% reservation for backward classes (BCs) following a caste census, and this was forwarded to the Governor, who then referred it to the President.

He explained that the Congress government also revoked a Government Order issued by the previous BRS administration, which had maintained the 50% cap on reservations. Ravi added that they aim to lift this cap to enable 42% reservation for OBCs.

"Today, I have given an adjournment motion to Lok Sabha Secretary-General requesting for time to raise a very important issue of Telangana State. Telangana State has passed 42% reservation (for BC) after a scientific caste census. It was sent to the Governor, who sent it to the President. Likewise, we have also cancelled the GO (Govt Order) issued by the previous BRS Govt keeping the cap of 50% reservation. We want to take out the cap of 50% reservation so that 42% reservation can be given to OBCs."

He said both the Ordinance and the Bill remain pending with the President and without clearance, the state cannot proceed with local body elections that provide for 42% OBC reservation.

He added that the Telangana Chief Minister, along with the full cabinet, MLAs and MLCs, will be in Delhi for a protest at Jantar Mantar to press the Centre for action.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of the state Assembly polls.

Tagore alleged that the exercise has "disproportionately affected" marginalised communities, cautioning that this "targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal."

In the motion, he wrote: "This House expresses deep concern over the mass deletion of voters flagged during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India in Bihar, which has disproportionately affected historically marginalized communities, and warns that similar targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal. This House demands a comprehensive and transparent debate on the legitimacy, legality, and consequences of this exercise, which threatens the constitutional right to vote and undermines free and fair elections in India."

Tagore further claimed that over 65 lakh voters in Bihar have been "flagged for deletion", especially from areas with a high concentration of minorities and opposition supporters.

Parliament Monsoon Session live updates: The Lok Sabha is set to take up the National Sports Governance Bill, which seeks to enhance transparency in the management of sports bodies, even as Parliament remains stalled due to the Opposition’s persistent demand for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The INDIA bloc, which has previously struggled with unity, is now speaking in one voice, accusing the Election Commission of using the revision to remove voters aligned with the Opposition and favour the BJP-led NDA.

The Lower House also plans to consider and pass the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill.