Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told Parliament that no discussion on the Bihar voter roll revision can take place as the matter is sub judice before the Supreme Court, and must follow constitutional rules and procedures.
The government rejected the Opposition’s call for a discussion on the electoral roll revision in Bihar, stating that issues currently under judicial consideration cannot be addressed in the Lok Sabha.
When the Lower House reconvened at 2 p.m. following two previous adjournments, opposition parties continued to protest, seeking dialogue on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission in the upcoming Bihar elections.
Also Read: BREAKING | Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Introduces Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in Rajya Sabha
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the Lok Sabha’s rules prohibit discussions on matters that are sub judice. He also noted that the operations of autonomous institutions like the Election Commission cannot be debated in Parliament.
Rijiju stated,
“The government has been very open to taking up discussion on any matter. However, any discussion in the Parliament has to be in accordance with constitutional provisions and also in accordance with the rules as prescribed in the procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha. On the issue of intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar for which they (opposition members) are disturbing the House from first day of the session, we all know that the matter is under consideration of the Supreme Court and as such it is sub judice and hence a discussion cannot be held on the subject,”
He further clarified that the issue pertains to the functioning of the Election Commission of India, which is an independent body.
He said,
“In the past, it has been clearly established in this House that matters falling under the domain of the Election Commission of India cannot be discussed in this House,”
The minister urged members to engage in debates regarding important legislations.
He added,
“I urge the members not to disrupt the House. There are important bills to be taken up. The Sports Bill is listed for today, but we will take it up later because we want discussions,”
Meanwhile, leaders from various opposition parties on Wednesday requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to send the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to a joint committee of Parliament for more thorough examination.
In a joint letter to the Speaker, opposition leaders argued that a broader consensus is necessary on these significant bills, given their national importance.
The opposition has been vociferously demanding a discussion on SIR in both Houses of Parliament, claiming it could disenfranchise many voters.
More than ten petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court against SIR, including those from opposition parties and the NGO “Association for Democratic Reforms,” the lead petitioner.
Several MPs from the INDIA bloc staged a protest in the Parliament House complex against SIR, calling for its rollback and for a debate on the issue in both Houses.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government, stating,
“They have become so weak that neither are they able to face US President Donald Trump, nor are they able to run Parliament.”
She added,
“It is a very simple thing, we are only asking for a discussion (on SIR). It is very easy for them to resolve this within five minutes. They should discuss it; what is the harm? Our viewpoint will come forth, their viewpoint will come forth, it will be over,”