Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 22: Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the entire day on Tuesday amid escalating protests by Opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar and the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The disruptions began shortly after the Houses reconvened, with repeated adjournments—first until noon, then 2 p.m., and finally for the rest of the day.

Ahead of the session, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, staged a joint protest outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar, accusing the Election Commission of conducting a "biased" SIR exercise in poll-bound Bihar and tampering with electoral rolls.

In Rajya Sabha, protests broke out as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the voter verification drive and Vice President Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation. Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected their adjournment motions, triggering a walkout and slogan-shouting in the well of the House, leading to multiple adjournments.

Similarly, the Lok Sabha saw a second straight day of turmoil. Speaker Om Birla denied permission for debates on SIR and Operation Sindoor, prompting Opposition MPs to chant slogans and wave placards. After brief sessions, the House was ultimately adjourned for the day.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at the Opposition, accusing them of "deliberate disruption" despite a prior agreement in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to hold discussions on issues like the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. He criticised the Opposition for abandoning that agenda and shifting focus to the SIR issue.

“We come prepared with legislative business, but the Opposition comes only to create disturbances,” Rijiju said, blaming them for wasting taxpayers' money.

The Monsoon Session has gotten off to a stormy start, with both days so far marred by relentless protests, limited proceedings, and mounting tensions between the treasury and Opposition benches.