July 28, 2025

The Rajya Sabha experienced another turbulent session on Monday, July 28, 2025, as protests from Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) resulted in the House being repeatedly adjourned. The primary focus of the protests revolved around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, which has become a contentious issue. Following the adjournment after a mere two hours into the session, it is clear that tensions between the government and the Opposition remain high. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh mentioned that he had received an overwhelming 26 notices under Rule 267, which pertains to discussions on various issues, including the SIR exercise and alleged discrimination faced by Bengali migrant workers in other states. In response to these requests, he dismissed the adjournment notices and called upon Sudha Murty, a nominated member, to make her Zero Hour mention. This decision sparked immediate backlash from opposition members, particularly from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress party, who stood in protest. They raised slogans such as "Vote Ki Chori Band Karo", which translates to "stop vote theft", expressing their discontent towards the government's handling of electoral issues and the revision exercise. In an attempt to regain order, the Chair adjourned the proceedings until 12 noon. However, when the House reconvened for the Question Hour, uproar ensued once again. Members from the opposition, undeterred, stood in protest, with Sushmita Dev of the TMC entering the Well of the House, seeking to raise points of order and demanding discussions regarding the SIR exercise. The continuous disruption prompted another adjournment until 2 p.m. Upon reassembly, although the Chair attempted to proceed with the debate on The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, it was evident that chaos was persistent. Opposition MPs continued to chant their demands for discussions on the Special Intensive Revision, leading to further turmoil. In spite of the efforts of the Deputy Chairman to maintain order, the House was eventually adjourned for the day given the ensuing uproar and the numerous MPs that had congregated in the Well. This session also marked the swearing-in of newly elected members I.S. Inbadurai and M. Dhanapal from the AIADMK party. In an important note to the members, the Deputy Chairman shared that all notices moving forward should be submitted digitally, as some MPs were still opting for traditional handwritten notices. This initiative to streamline the notice submission process through the Digital Sansad portal aims to modernize the parliamentary procedures, but it remains to be seen how effectively members will adapt to this change amidst their current focus on pressing issues. The events leading to the adjournment raise significant questions regarding communication and cooperation within the Rajya Sabha. As political tensions continue to escalate, constructive dialogue seems increasingly distant, which may hinder progress on crucial legislative matters in the future. In conclusion, the Rajya Sabha's session on July 28, 2025, serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges of governance, particularly when opposition voices are compromised. As discussions over critical issues like the SIR exercise continue, the significance of the protests highlights the issues surrounding transparency and representation in India's legislative process.

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Rajya sabha, Protest, Bihar sir, Opposition, Session,