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Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Monday called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar a "huge menace to democracy". He said that the Opposition will intensify the protests against it.
Sandosh Kumar said that he had moved a Suspension of Business notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha regarding the SIR exercise. "We have given notice under Rule 267 against SIR. SIR has become a huge menace to democracy. More than 65 lakh voters are excluded from the electoral lists published by the EC on 1st August. Our apprehension about SIR has been proven quite right. We will intensify our protests," he told ANI. He said that the Parliament will witness a coordinated action by the non-NDA parties against the Bihar SIR. Sandosh Kumar said, "It's pilot projects in Bihar and Manipur have also been announced. Many more Indian states will have to face this. So this must be stopped... You will see a more coordinated joint action of the non-NDA parties today in the House." Earlier today, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked the Centre to agree to the Opposition's demand to discuss the SIR in poll-bound Bihar in the Parliament. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "This (SIR exercise in Bihar) is a very serious issue. If this is happening in the voter list, then why shouldn't we raise this issue? The government should agree to a discussion and move on." The INDIA bloc has been protesting in the Parliament, demanding a discussion on the SIR. Earlier today, the proceedings in the Lower House of the Parliament were adjourned till 2 PM amid protests by the Opposition. The Opposition MPs entered the well with the placards during the question hour, after which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House. Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the SIR of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. Submitting the adjournment motion, Manickam Tagore alleged that the SIR has "disproportionately affected" marginalised communities, and warned that similar "targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal." (ANI)
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