INDIA bloc parties unite on SIR issue, want discussion in Parliament

The Opposition INDIA bloc, including the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), united on Wednesday to intensify pressure on the Modi government for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar during the ongoing Monsson session of the Parliament.

The bloc also announced a protest march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in Delhi on August 11, opposing the SIR exercise.

The Monsoon Session has seen a persistent logjam over the SIR being conducted in Bihar, with Opposition parties alleging that the ECI’s move is aimed to cut votes ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections.

At a joint press conference, Opposition parties alleged that the SIR exercise is stripping people of their voting rights, an attack on democracy, and demanded a discussion on the issue in the “temple of democracy,” the Parliament.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised that the Opposition wants to present its suggestions on the matter, but the government is not allowing a discussion. “Taking away the voting rights of poor people can be theft only,” Kharge asserted.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said the Opposition has launched a protest against SIR, as the voting rights of common people are being stolen. “This is against democracy,” she said.

Ghose, who is an MP from West Bengal, also alleged that “oppression” is being carried out against Bangla-speaking people. “They are being put in detention centres. This is a grave injustice,” she added.

Notably, at the conference, AAP was represented by its leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who held the government responsible for a half-session “whitewash” of the ongoing Parliament proceedings.

Earlier, AAP had expressed reservations about joining the INDIA bloc due to differences with Congress. However, on the SIR issue, the Kejriwal-led party seems to be in alignment with the INDIA bloc.

“There are three questions we want to put before the government regarding SIR. One is its basis, then there are documents for the SIR which are practically impossible to provide, and third is its timeline,” said Pathak.

RJD MP Manoj Jha termed the SIR a “dacoity.” He alleged that the votes of Dalits, OBCs, and other backward communities are being snatched by this exercise.

“Parliament is a space in democracy where issues of the people are deliberated and discussed. This government is not allowing it to happen,” said Jha.

He added that the Opposition wants to ask the government why, if the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to include the Aadhaar card as proof to maximize voter inclusion, it was not accepted. “This is what we want to know. It is clear the EC is acting like BJP's arm,” Jha alleged.