Delhi, 4 August (H.S.): The Parliament's Monsoon Session on Monday, is currently witnessing significant discussions and disruptions, primarily revolving around the National Sports Governance Bill and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. As the Lok Sabha gears up to address the sports bill, the Opposition is intensifying its demands for a debate concerning the ongoing SIR process, which has raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral rolls.

Union minister Pralhad Joshi criticized the Opposition's push for a debate on SIR, asserting that they are undermining constitutional authorities by expressing distrust in the Election Commission and other key institutions. He emphasized that the SIR is not a novel procedure in India and introduced technological advancements to enhance its execution. Joshi condemned the Opposition's repeated disruptions in Parliament, reflecting on their previous demands and what he perceives as a tactic to impede legislative progress.

On August 7, leaders from the INDIA bloc, which includes Congress among others, will convene to advocate for a parliamentary discussion regarding the problematic aspects of the SIR in Bihar. Congress MP KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of compromising democratic values, citing that numerous names were excised from the draft electoral rolls. He announced a press conference scheduled for August 5 to unveil what he described as serious malpractices linked to the Election Commission's actions. The convening will occur at the residence of Rahul Gandhi.

Additionally, Congress MP Hibi Eden lodged an adjournment motion aimed at addressing the arrests of two Catholic nuns and a tribal youth in Chhattisgarh, raising alarms about the potential ramifications for communal harmony. Eden is seeking a comprehensive investigation into the claims of human trafficking and has called for the matter to be exempted from National Investigation Agency oversight.

In another legislative effort, Congress MP Mallu Ravi brought an adjournment motion concerning the recent legislature in Telangana proposing a 42% reservation for backward classes after conducting a caste census. He argued that the Congress government's steps to revoke a previous government order maintaining a 50% cap on reservations are crucial for ensuring fair representation, especially as local body elections are pending legislative clearance from the President.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore further joined the call for an adjournment motion to debate the SIR process, voicing concerns over its specific impact on marginalized communities. He warned that the disenfranchisement observed in Bihar could be indicative of a broader trend affecting other states, urging immediate attention to the matter within the parliamentary session.

The session has faced disruptions due to opposition demands and government defense of electoral processes. Despite a two-day debate focused on the Pahalgam terror incident and the government's Operation Sindoor, the prevailing theme has been contention surrounding electoral integrity and the governance of sports bodies. The Lok Sabha witnessed uproar during Question Hour, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn until 2 pm.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar