The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly disrupted on Wednesday as Opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, leading to its adjournment for the day soon after the post-lunch sitting commenced, reported news agency PTI.
The Upper House began its first adjournment shortly after convening at 11 am, followed by a second at noon. Both times, the House was adjourned due to Opposition protests concerning the Bihar voter list revision issue.
Furthermore, when the House reassembled for the third time at 2 pm, it was adjourned for the day after witnessing similar protests, PTI reported.
At 2 pm, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025 for discussion and passing. While presenting the Bill, the minister explained that it outlines the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of carriers concerning the carriage of goods by sea and related matters. However, the Bill had previously been approved by the Lok Sabha.
According to PTI, it aims to replace the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
Meanwhile, as AIADMK MP M Thambidurai rose to speak on the Bill, Opposition members continued their protest demanding a discussion on the SIR issue, with some even trooping into the Well of the House, while many others remained on their feet.
The Opposition MPs chanted slogans against the SIR exercise and also demanded that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge be allowed to speak. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the Chair, informed Thambidurai that he could continue his speech later and adjourned the House for the day as the protests persisted.
Earlier in the day, the Upper House witnessed similar protests leading to adjournments.
According to PTI, Opposition members caused an uproar in the House following the rejection of their adjournment notices, which sought discussions on various issues, including SIR.
Soon after the listed papers were tabled, Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced that he had received 25 notices under Rule 267 demanding discussions on SIR, the demolition of slums in Delhi, alleged discrimination against migrant workers from Bengal in other states, and air safety. The Chair, however, rejected all the adjournment notices, which led to significant protest and sloganeering by MPs from different Opposition parties.
Harivansh urged the House to at least allow Vaiko (MDMK) to raise his Zero Hour mention, explaining that his Rajya Sabha term was ending on July 24, PTI reported.
Vaiko then raised the issue related to increasing incidents of the arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka, even as the protests continued.
When the House reconvened at noon, Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the Chair, called for the Question Hour to proceed, but Opposition members remained on their feet, demanding that the SIR issue be discussed.
Furthermore, the protesting members ignored requests by the Chair to allow the Question Hour, forcing another adjournment. When the Chair called the name of CPI`s Sandosh Kumar P to ask his supplementary question, he instead began raising the SIR issue, PTI reported
Similarly, on Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha had also experienced several adjournments, primarily over the SIR matter, and could not conduct any substantial business.
(With inputs from PTI)