The Upper House first adjourned at around 11.45 am. When it reconvened at 2 pm, the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Opposition were on their feet pressing for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh conducts proceedings in the House on Tuesday. PIC/PTI
Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted yet again on Tuesday as Opposition lawmakers stood firm on their demand for a discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The House was adjourned for the day soon after passing two statutory resolutions, PTI reported.
The Upper House first adjourned at around 11.45 am. When it reconvened at 2 pm, the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Opposition were on their feet pressing for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar.
Amid the ruckus, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who was in the Chair, took up two statutory resolutions — one to extend President’s Rule in Manipur for another six months and another from the Finance Ministry to amend the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, PTI reported.
As Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary tabled the resolution related to the Customs Tariff Act, the Opposition MPs began raising slogans against SIR. The chair put the resolution to vote amid the uproar, and it was approved.
The House then moved to the resolution on extending the President’s Rule in Manipur. "It’s a statutory resolution. All of us, as MPs, have to follow constitutional provisions. These have a time limit within which they have to be disposed. If it is not done, you are aware of the problems it can create," Harivansh said.
"Since the beginning of the session, we have passed only one Bill," he remarked, before calling on Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to move the resolution. "I sincerely hope members will rise to the occasion, use the floor meaningfully and utilise the time... in a manner befitting the gravity of the matter, and fulfil the Constitutional obligation," he added.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Sushmita Dev and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Tiruchi Siva urged the chair to allow a debate on SIR. Harivansh, however, said anything unrelated to the resolution being considered would not go on record, reported PTI.
As Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Subhash Chandra Bose Pilli spoke, TMC MPs stood beside him raising slogans against SIR.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Muzibulla Khan followed, stating, "When Manipur law and order situation was bad, Section 356 was imposed. Today, the situation of law and order in Odisha is bad..."
"Double-engine government in Manipur failed... Has the situation improved after so many months of the President’s Rule or not? Minister should inform us... Centre should take responsibility. Removing an elected government and imposing President’s Rule repeatedly is also not good," he said.
Soon after, Sushmita Dev entered the Well of the House, prompting Marshals to block access points. More MPs joined, including TMC’s Sagarika Ghose, Ritabrata Banerjee and Samirul Islam. Later, Congress and other Opposition MPs also trooped into the Well, pushing past the barricades.
As Rai moved the resolution for passing, Opposition members shouted "Amit Shah jawab do" (Amit Shah give answers). The resolution was passed by voice vote and the House was adjourned for the day.
Morning uproar over CISF claim
On Tuesday morning, Congress and other Opposition parties created uproar soon after the House met, alleging that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel had been deployed in the Rajya Sabha last week — a claim both the chair and the government firmly denied, stating that the personnel belonged to parliamentary security services.
After the Zero Hour papers and reports were tabled, Harivansh expressed displeasure that Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge had shared with the media a letter he wrote on Friday alleging CISF presence in the House.
The Chair said such communications are privileged and objected to them being made public. He clarified that the security personnel present were from the parliamentary security service, which has long been deployed in the House.
Harivansh questioned how slogan shouting, entering the Well and disturbing members could be termed a "democratic right of protest". Kharge responded that the Opposition was protesting democratically and would continue to do so. "CISF is being brought into the House. Are we terrorists?" he asked.
Harivansh countered, "They were not from CISF. It was a parliamentary security service."
Kharge said the parliamentary security service was well-equipped to protect MPs. "But do you want to run the House by bringing in police and military?" he asked.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought clarification on action to be taken against "wrong claims" by the LoP. "Only marshals can enter the House. That day there were only marshals. LoP is misleading and putting forth wrong facts. When a misleading letter is written or a wrong fact is presented, what action needs to be taken?" he asked.
Kharge then asked the Chair, "Are you running the House or Home Minister Amit Shah?" To this, Harivansh said it was a wrong allegation.
Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda remarked that the Congress should "take tuition" from him on being an effective Opposition, adding that certain actions of MPs amounted not to democratic protest but to "anarchy".
Amid the uproar, the House was adjourned till 2 pm. Earlier, the Chair rejected 34 adjournment notices under Rule 267.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
