Bihar voter list row sparks Parliament uproar; Opposition alleges voter exclusion of marginalised

Both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Wednesday over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition MPs staged protests, alleging that the exercise could lead to mass removal of names from the voter list ahead of the state assembly elections. Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to demand an urgent discussion on the issue.

Tagore described the SIR as “dangerous and unconstitutional” and alleged it could systematically disenfranchise poor, Dalit, and backward caste voters. He said, “This calculated disenfranchisement is reminiscent of colonial practices... The current regime's actions reveal a Manuwadi mindset that seeks to reverse the democratic gains of social justice and universal adult franchise.” In his motion, he claimed the exercise violates the right to vote guaranteed by the Constitution and shaped by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

The Opposition has filed multiple notices and demanded immediate withdrawal of the voter list revision drive in Bihar. On Tuesday, disruptions over the same issue led to adjournments, and both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were again adjourned till 2 p.m. on Wednesday following protests. The Rajya Sabha session lasted less than a minute before it was adjourned. The Lok Sabha ran briefly, during which the government introduced two bills — the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

At 10:30 a.m., Opposition leaders held a symbolic protest at Makar Dwar inside Parliament premises. Several MPs, including Congress leaders, wore black bands to mark their protest. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, “The Opposition is together against SIR. We will raise the issue in the House again today. Our protest will continue.” SP MP Dimple Yadav also stated that the government was avoiding a discussion on the SIR and the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Giriraj Singh defended the SIR process, stating that such revisions are a regular part of the Election Commission’s functioning. Paswan said the government was ready to explain the process and accused the Opposition of spreading confusion. Giriraj Singh said similar revisions had taken place before and called the current allegations politically motivated. Both Houses are scheduled to reconvene at 2 p.m. amidst continued demands for a detailed discussion.