Opposition members protest in the Lok Sabha demanding discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Wednesday (July 23). Photo: PTI
Parliament Monsoon session, Day 3: Parliament to have 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor
Both houses of Parliament have been adjourned with the Opposition raising many issues, including Bihar electoral Special Intensive Revision and Vice President Dhankhar’s resignation
Opposition protests over a host of issues, especially the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, have washed out the proceedings in both the Houses, except for a few transactions, since the Monsoon session began on Monday (July 21).
It has also attacked the government for not prioritising a discussion on Operation Sindoor and the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
The government, the sources said, has made no commitment on the opposition's demand for the prime minister's response but has cited its proposal for a parliamentary discussion next week on the ground that Modi will be back by then from his four-day foreign visit, for which he left on Wednesday (July 23).
A senior BJP leader said the debate on the conflict with Pakistan, which ensued after India retaliated under Operation Sindoor following the killing of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam terror attack, will not only have a strong national traction but will also receive attention from the global community.
"The prime minister may choose the occasion to convey his government's robust response to the terror attack and its stand on a host of issues," the BJP leader said, adding that a final call has not been taken yet on whether Modi will speak or not.
Opposition’s demand
Congress' deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari, who attended the BAC meeting, claimed, "We have demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present during the discussion, and we have been assured of that by the government."
This was the first BAC meeting after Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down as vice president on Monday (July 21), when he chaired two back-to-back committee meetings to finalise the House's agenda. The vice president is ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Dhankhar called off the second meeting and rescheduled it for Tuesday as Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju did not attend due to what they later said was their engagement in other official business. Dhankhar resigned a few hours later to "prioritise health care".
The BAC includes representatives of various parties and is chaired by the respective presiding officers of the two Houses.
The opposition has also demanded debate on a host of other topics, including the Bihar SIR, but the government has given no assurance on it so far.
Operation Sindoor discussion next week
Parliament is likely to take up a discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor early next week, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha expected to hold a 16-hour debate each.
While the government had agreed to the 16-hour discussion in the Lok Sabha at the Business Advisory Committee meeting on July 21, a similar decision was taken at the Rajya Sabha's BAC meeting on Wednesday, amid the opposition's insistence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on the issue.
The Lok Sabha will begin the discussion on July 28 and the Rajya Sabha a day later if there are no disruptions, sources said.
Also Read:
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Live Updates
- 23 July 2025 11:43 AM IST
Dhankhar 'threatened' with impeachment: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee
Trinammol Congress (TMC) Kalyan Banerjee alleged that Jagdeep Dhankhar was threatened with impeachment if he did not resign as Vice President by 9 pm on Monday.
“Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to resign by the Prime Minister and other Cabinet ministers. He was threatened that if he didn't resign before 9 pm on that day, an impeachment motion would be brought against him. This is a pressure tactic by the PM and other Cabinet ministers. It is being heard that now Rajnath Singh will be made vice president,” said Banerjee.
- 23 July 2025 11:39 AM IST
Dhankhar was asked to resign as VP: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said on Wednesday that it seemed that Jagdeep Dhankhar was asked to resign as Vice President. He also pointed out that there was not even a farewell.
“It appears he was asked to resign. Vice President's post was insulted...There wasn't even a farewell speech. This is an insult to farmers and the Constitution of India,” added Tiwari.
Earlier, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot had suggested that Dhankhar’s repeated reference to the farmers’ issue, especially a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), has irked the Modi government, leading to his resignation.
- 23 July 2025 11:26 AM IST
EC working to ban votes in Bihar: Gaurav Gogoi
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday alleged that the Election Commission is working to “ban votes” in Bihar, adding that such action can be taken only with the permission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“We want PM Modi to participate in the discussions of SIR, and he should inform us when the discussions on Operation Sindoor and SIR will take place,” added Gogoi. His comments come at a time when both Houses of Parliament are facing repeated adjournments over the Opposition's protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar.
- 23 July 2025 11:10 AM IST
Parliament adjourned till noon amid Opposition ruckus
Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla says, “The Parliament is the core of democracy. I urge you to ensure that your actions inside the House remain dignified. You are resorting to behaviour as if you are on the streets. The country is watching your behaviour inside the House. I repeat that I have to take action against those bringing placards inside the House.” He adjourns the Lok Sabha proceedings till noon as the Opposition MPs refused to relent.
As for the Rajya Sabha the Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected 25 notices under Rule 267 on issues such as Special Intensive Revision in Bihar, demolition of slums in Delhi and alleged discrimination against Bengali migrant workers. Despite the Deputy Chairman’s request, the Opposition members continued their protest, leading to the proceedings of the Upper House being adjourned till noon.
- 23 July 2025 11:06 AM IST
Opposition ruckus in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Ruckus ensued in Lok Sabha within moments after the session started. Opposition MPs have resorted to loud sloganeering. Amid the ruckus, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is speaking on the work by the Modi government in terms of railway infrastructure development in Bihar. He listed the progress of several such projects in Bihar, adding that eight Vande Bharat Expresses are currently running in Bihar. Similar sceaniors are witnessed in Rajya Sabha.
- 23 July 2025 11:02 AM IST
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings begin on Wednesday, the third day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament. It is likely to be a stormy session as the Congress has already said that it would continue its protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla earlier said that the protest would continue till the Election Commission listens.
- 23 July 2025 10:56 AM IST
Congress to protest Bihar SIR in Parliament: Rajeev Shukla
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said that his party will continue its protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar on Wednesday both inside and outside the Parliament. He also said that the protest would continue till the Election Commission listens.
"The Opposition will hold a protest in Parliament on the issue of ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar...This protest will continue until the Election Commission listens," he added.
- 23 July 2025 10:50 AM IST
Kharge questions VP Dhankhar's 'sudden' resignation
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the Centre should answer why Jagdeep Dhankhar suddenly resigned as Vice President, adding that his health was fine.
“He used to defend RSS and BJP always. Who and what is behind his resignation should be known to the country,” said Kharge.
