Opposition protests rock Rajya Sabha; proceedings adjourned for the day

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out on Friday amid vociferous protests by Opposition members, who were demanding a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and its rollback.

Some of the Opposition members tried to enter the well but were blocked by marshalls in the house, leading to strong objections by some leaders. They later alleged that it was a "paramilitary takeover" of the house.

When the House reassembled at 12 noon, some TMC and DMK MPs tried to enter the well, but were blocked by security personnel at the entry point. However, some MPs, including some women, sneaked into the well and raised slogans. They also protested against the blockade by security staff.

Among some of the members who protested in the well were Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghosh, Derek O'Brien (all of TMC), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), and Sanjay Singh (AAP).

The Rajya Sabha could not function on Friday, and both the Zero Hour and Question Hour became casualties. They raised slogans against SIR and demanded its withdrawal.

In the afternoon session, there was no let-up in the protests.

Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the chair, asked Vivek Tankha (Congress) to ask his supplementary question, urging protesting members to return to their seats and allow the question hour to function.

However, Tankha said he cannot speak as the House was not in order. Amid the din, the chair adjourned the Rajya Sabha for the day, as opposition members continued with their sloganeering inside the well and spoke into the microphones.

The House will now meet again on Monday morning.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also wrote to Deputy Chairman Harivansh in this regard, asking him not to allow security personnel to enter the well when members are raising important public issues.

Congress leader and chief whip Jairam Ramesh later alleged that there is a sudden "takeover by paramilitary forces".

"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," Ramesh said.

The Opposition has been demanding a discussion in the House on the SIR issue and the withdrawal of the EC's exercise, which has come ahead of Assembly elections slated to be held later this year.

In the morning session, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said he received 30 adjournment notices under Rule 267 for discussion on SIR, alleged discrimination against Bengali migrant workers in other states, impact of the US decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, and mass layoffs in the Indian IT sector, among others.

Harviansh said that since the notices do not conform to the detailed directions given by the Chair, they were declined.

The Opposition member were up on their feet, protesting the Chair's decision, and several of them raised slogans and stood in the aisle.

The Chair allowed Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) to speak, who urged the Chair to allow discussion on SIR.

Harivansh said since the matter 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 and called Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP) to raise his Zero Hour mention.

However, the protests continued.

The Chair's repeated efforts to ensure smooth functioning went in vain, and the proceedings were adjourned within 11 minutes.

According to the agenda for Friday, besides the private members' business, the House was to take up a statutory resolution for the continuance of President's rule in Manipur for another six months and The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025.