The SIR Controversy That Rocked the Monsoon Session
India’s democratic institutions are once again under intense scrutiny as tensions boil over in Parliament over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The revision—aimed at updating the voter list ahead of the upcoming state elections—has been sharply criticised by opposition parties, who allege it is a politically motivated move to disenfranchise voters in key constituencies. The ensuing uproar has led to four consecutive days of adjournments, with prominent national leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, taking to the streets and the steps of Parliament in protest.
Rahul Gandhi’s Explosive Allegations Against EC
The most scathing attack came from Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who directly accused the Election Commission (EC) of compromising the integrity of India’s electoral process. “The Election Commission is not doing its job,” Gandhi said, alleging large-scale manipulation in the electoral rolls under the guise of revision. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that a “drama” is unfolding across constituencies, with suspicious additions and deletions of voters—many well above the age of 18 but added without proper scrutiny.
“We have 100 per cent proof of cheating allowed by the Election Commission,” he declared. “If you think you are going to get away with this, you are mistaken… we are going to come for you.”
Opposition Unites: Slogans, Banners, and Mass Protests
In a rare show of unity, leaders from the INDIA bloc—including Congress, TMC, DMK, Samajwadi Party, RJD, JMM, and Left parties—staged coordinated demonstrations both inside and outside Parliament. Holding placards that read “SIR – Loktantra par Vaar” (SIR – An Attack on Democracy), they rallied at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament, raising slogans like “Save democracy” and “Stop vote-bandi.”
Senior figures such as Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, A Raja, and Kirti Azad joined the protests, demanding a rollback of the SIR exercise and a formal debate in both Houses. The opposition insists that the EC’s move is designed to skew the voter base in Bihar ahead of the elections, undermining the fairness of the democratic process.
Parliament in Paralysis: Adjournments and Accusations
The controversy has thrown the Monsoon Session into disarray. For four consecutive days, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned due to unrelenting opposition protests. On Thursday, as soon as the House convened, opposition members stormed the Well, raised slogans, and waved placards. Speaker Om Birla appealed for order and assured that issues could be raised under parliamentary rules. But the chaos persisted, and proceedings were halted within minutes.
Only one question was taken up before the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 PM, effectively stalling any legislative business for the day. Speaker Birla criticized the behaviour, stating that such actions were “not the culture” of senior parliamentarians and were beneath the dignity of the House.
Election Commission’s Defence and Legal Justification
In response to the mounting criticism, the Election Commission has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court defending its decision to conduct the SIR, beginning with Bihar. The EC argued that the exercise is essential for maintaining the “purity” of the electoral rolls and aims to weed out ineligible or duplicate entries. It acknowledged that Aadhaar, voter cards, and ration cards are being used “for the limited purpose” of identity verification, even as legal debates over their usage in elections persist.
The EC insists the process is in accordance with existing laws and ensures that no eligible voter is excluded.
Opposition’s Expanding Demands and Underlying Tensions
Beyond the SIR issue, the opposition has broadened its demands. They seek clarification on multiple controversial matters: the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, alleged irregularities tied to “Operation Sindoor,” and the government’s silence on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of having negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Each of these flashpoints has added fuel to an already volatile session, reflecting deepening mistrust between the opposition and the government.
A Test of Institutional Integrity
The SIR controversy in Bihar has become more than just a dispute over voter rolls—it is now a litmus test for the credibility of India’s democratic institutions. The Election Commission, long regarded as an impartial guardian of electoral integrity, faces serious allegations that strike at the heart of its mandate. Meanwhile, Parliament remains gridlocked, and with critical legislation on hold, governance itself is at risk of stagnation.
As the two sides harden their positions, the country watches closely. The path forward demands not just transparency and accountability from the Election Commission, but also a return to constructive parliamentary debate. In the world’s largest democracy, trust in the electoral process is not optional—it is foundational.
(With agency inputs)
