Opposition Stages Protests Over Election Commission's Controversial SIR Exercise in Bihar

Opposition leaders mounted a strong protest on Thursday in front of the Bihar Assembly, criticizing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise carried out by the Election Commission of India ahead of state elections expected later this year. The elections, anticipated in October or November, have yet to see an official date announcement from the Election Commission.

The NDA, which includes the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, hopes to maintain its governance in Bihar, while the INDIA bloc, formed by the RJD, Congress, and left parties, seeks to challenge Nitish Kumar's leadership. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the INDIA bloc marked its fourth consecutive day of protests outside Parliament against the SIR issue.

Gathering at Parliament's Makar Dwar, the MPs demanded an immediate halt to the revision process. The opposition parties consistently pushed for debate within the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, moving adjournment motions daily since the monsoon session started and alleging voter roll manipulation under the SIR's pretense.

Among the protest participants were Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, JMM MP Mahua Maji, and RJD MP Manoj Jha. They were joined by other leaders carrying a banner that read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," as they called for an immediate cessation of the revision exercise.

While submitting an Adjournment Motion, Congress MP Manickam Tagore termed the revision effort an "act of mass disenfranchisement" akin to "institutional voter cleansing" orchestrated under the Modi Government. Tagore emphasized that this exercise undermines the legacy of Babasaheb BR Ambedkar, who enshrined universal adult franchise in the Constitution to empower all citizens, irrespective of caste, class, or wealth.

In the Rajya Sabha, multiple MPs filed adjournment motions to initiate discussions on the contentious issue. Leading figures in the upper house, such as Rajani Ashokrao Patil and others, requested the suspension of Zero Hour and Question Hour to address the Bihar SIR issue.

In her letter, Patil highlighted concerns over the Election Commission's actions, which sparked fears of potential election manipulation. She noted reports of similar exercises planned in other states, including West Bengal, heightening suspicions, particularly given past apprehensions in Maharashtra during the 2024 legislative Assembly elections. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)