Opposition members protesting SIR in Rajya Sabha blocked by marshals

The Rajya Sabha failed to function on Friday (August 1, 2025), as the Opposition intensified its protest demanding a discussion on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. The opposition members who tried to enter the well of the House were blocked by marshals leading to a written complaint by the Leader of Opposition, and Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge to Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh objecting to the incident. 

Parliament Monsoon session Day 10 highlights: Both Houses to reconvene on August 4 after morning washout

At 11:00 am after the customary laying of papers, Mr. Harivansh, who was in chair, informed that he had received 30 adjournment notices, 21 of which were to demand a debate on SIR. The deputy chairman rejected these notices citing precedents, leading to an uproar from the Opposition benches. Then, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s senior leader Manoj Kumar Jha, urged the chair to allow discussion on SIR. But the deputy chairman said that since the Election Commission is a constitutional body and the issue is sub-judice, he cannot allow discussion on it. 

“This is a sub judice matter and the rules of this House are very clear. I cannot allow (discussion),” he said, and urged the protesting members to return to their seats. However, the protests continued. The house was adjourned till 12:00 noon. When it reconvened, the opposition renewed its protest, with TMC’s Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Party leader Derek O’ Brien, DMK’s floor leader Tiruchi Siva and AAP’s floor leader Sanjay Singh trooped into the well of the house. Even before they could step in, the security personnel blocked their path. But the three along with a few other members pushed past the blockade. The house was adjourned for the day. 

Kharge writes to Deputy Chairman

Minutes after this, Mr. Kharge wrote to Mr. Harivansh urging him not to allow security personnel to enter the well when members are raising important public issues. Sharing Mr. Kharge’s letter on X, Congress’s Chief Whip and senior leader Jairam Ramesh said, “

“After the sudden and unprecedented resignation of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, we are now seeing the takeover of the chamber of the Council of States by the personnel of the CISF.” 

Mr. Kharge in his letter to Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, said that he was shocked and astonished to see CISF personnel made to run in the House when members are exercising their democratic rights.

Writing on behalf of the Opposition parties, the Leader of Opposition said that this was the second time such an incident was being repeated. “We saw this yesterday and we saw this today as well. Has our Parliament been reduced to such a level? This is most objectionable and we condemn it unequivocally,” he said. He further added, “We expect that in future CISF personnel will not come trooping in the well of the House when members are raising important issues of public concern,” Mr. Kharge said in his letter to Harivansh.

“Ten sittings of the monsoon session have gone by, we have been asking since day one that we want a debate on SIR, 21 notices were moved by opposition parties. But instead of listening to our demand, the government is continuing to disrupt Parliament. What we witnessed today has never happened in the history of Rajya Sabha,” Mr. O’ Brien said.