Parliament Session July 24 Highlights: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid Bihar SIR uproar

Over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's statement on Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "His biggest problem is that Rahul Gandhi ji is very serious. His problem is that Rahul ji raises serious issues."

Discussion on The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 moved by Sarbananda Sonowal, continues in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing amid mass sloganeering from the Opposition leaders.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "We have been demanding for the last 3 days that a discussion on SIR be held, but not a single response has come from the BJP minister so far. We just want to ask them whether or not there will be a discussion on SIR. Yes or no…once they answer, the House proceedings can begin.”

While major Bills — such as the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, among others — are lined up for discussion, frequent adjournments have stalled any progress. Read here. 

Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rahman Barq said, "Our country has a government elected by the people, and if the right to vote of the people is taken away, our purpose in Parliament is to protect the interests of the people…The entire opposition is protesting against it (SIR). We want such unconstitutional actions that are being taken, where people’s votes are being undermined, should be stopped…”

INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday, opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted by the Election Commission ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that the government is deliberately preventing the Opposition from speaking in Parliament.

“Whenever the Opposition leaders want to speak, they are not allowed. We have been asking for discussions; they should agree. In the last session, I was surprised to see that disruptions were starting from the treasury benches. They would pick a topic so that we react, then there is a hungama, and the House gets adjourned. It is suiting them just fine,” she said.

The Election Commission has said the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar is being conducted after 22 years to remove ineligible names, add eligible citizens, and eliminate duplicate entries in the electoral rolls.

In a post on X, O’Brien said, “As usual, the creaky Modi coalition will themselves continue to disrupt Parliament. They will run away from discussing issues like SIR and the targeting of Bengal. The government does not want Parliament to run.”

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Thursday blamed the government for Parliament disruptions, alleging they are avoiding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.

Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil said the SIR has sparked grave apprehensions of electoral manipulation, drawing parallels to the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the party alleged large-scale irregular voter additions.

Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi, in his motion, warned that the SIR could disenfranchise socio-economically vulnerable communities, particularly migrants who face documentation challenges.

At least six Congress MPs, including Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Jebi Mather, Ranjeet Ranjan, Neeraj Dangi, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh, have moved Notices of Motion under Rule 267, calling for the suspension of Zero Hour and Question Hour to take up the issue.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK MP Kanimozhi, and Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and KC Venugopal have participated in the protests over the past few days.

In Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and party MP Manoj Jha have hinted that the Opposition could discuss a possible poll boycott over the issue.

Opposition leaders have repeatedly demanded discussions on the SIR in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the Monsoon Session.

Opposition parties are set to protest for the third consecutive day at Parliament on Thursday over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for walking out of Parliament instead of addressing pressing national concerns. “The country is facing several serious issues, and the people want answers,” he said. “Parliament, the temple of the world's largest democracy, began its Monsoon Session on July 21. The people want discussions on major matters raised by the opposition — including the Pahalgam attack. Citizens deserve to know what steps the government has taken against terrorism, and where there were lapses. But rather than responding, the Prime Minister chose to walk out. These questions remain unanswered.”

As the Monsoon Session enters its fourth day, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up key legislations on Thursday, including the Scheduled Tribes Reservation Bill for Goa and the Merchant Shipping Bill. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will present the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, for consideration and passage.

"That the Bill for enabling reservation of seats in accordance with article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes and to provide for the readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, be taken into consideration," the list of business notice issued by Lok Sabha read.

On PIB dismissing social media rumours that Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence was sealed, Congress leader Udit Raj says, "Last evening, the media asked questions, and numerous reports circulated on social media and various channels, claiming that his house had been sealed and that the social media team had been dismissed... Now, PIB has clarified the matter, and it is confirmed that his house has not been sealed, nor has the social media team been ousted. This clears up the confusion..." - ANI

Today, we will once again raise the issue of SIR in the Lok Sabha. India demands an immediate discussion on this attack on democracy. In Bihar, 5.2 million people have been deprived of their voting rights. We will hold a protest today at 10:30 AM at Makar Dwar (outside Parliament): Congress MP Manickam Tagore.

During the Monsoon Session, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will move ‘The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024’ for passage.

The Bill seeks to consolidate and amend laws governing merchant shipping, ensuring India’s compliance with maritime treaties and international obligations, while also promoting the development of Indian shipping and strengthening the maintenance of the mercantile marine in line with national interests.

Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has submitted a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267, demanding a discussion on the constitutional and electoral implications of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.

During the Monsoon Session, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will move ‘The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024’ for passage.

The Bill seeks to enable reservation of seats in line with Article 332 of the Constitution for greater democratic participation of Scheduled Tribes. It also provides for readjustment of Assembly seats in Goa following the inclusion of certain communities in the state’s Scheduled Tribes list, along with related provisions.

After attending the Monsoon Session on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over former US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

“Trump has claimed 25 times that he negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Who is he? This is not his job. India’s Prime Minister is completely silent and has not responded even once. What will the Prime Minister say? How will he explain that Trump has negotiated an agreement with Pakistan?” Rahul said.

He further added, “The whole world knows that Trump announced the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. PM Modi cannot say this, but it is the truth and the whole world knows it. Those who call themselves patriots have run away.”

The government plans to introduce 8 new bills and take up 7 pending bills during the session.

There will be no parliamentary proceedings on August 13–14 in view of Independence Day celebrations.

Ahead of the day’s proceedings, Om Birla appealed to all political parties to ensure smooth functioning of the House. “This Monsoon Session, dedicated to the dignity of democracy and the priority of public welfare, will be meaningful and successful if all members cooperate,” he said.

Reddy said elevating Dattatraya would correct the NDA’s alleged sidelining of OBC leaders in the state. “To forgive a hundred wrongs, making Dattatraya Vice President would be appropriate,” he said.

The unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has added to the political churn. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy told ANI that the next Vice President should be from Telangana, suggesting Bandaru Dattatraya as an appropriate choice to “correct past injustices to OBC leaders.”

Home Minister Amit Shah met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. Sources told ANI that the said discussions may have focused on the proposal to remove Justice Verma. Secretaries-General of both Houses were also present.

Paswan also accused the Opposition of politicising the exercise. “The way the opposition is spreading confusion regarding SIR is part of their old politics… Isn’t it true that after the Maharashtra and Lok Sabha elections, they raised the issue of duplicacy of votes? You complain yourselves, and when we act to rectify it, you have a problem,” he said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi demanded that Prime Minister Modi address Parliament and the nation on key issues. “Election Commission is doing the work of (vote-bandi) banning votes in Bihar. It can only be done with the consent of PM Modi and 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,” Gogoi told ANI.

Sources indicated that the time allocated for discussions on Operation Sindoor has been extended by nine hours to allow comprehensive participation by all parties.

According to ANI, a debate on Operation Sindoor will begin on July 28 and run for 16 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to intervene, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will reply on behalf of the government.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run until August 21, with a break scheduled between August 12 and 18. A total of 21 sittings are planned over the 32-day session.

Amid the uproar, BJP MP Baijayant Panda tabled the Report of the Select Committee on the Income Tax Bill, 2025. The report carries 285 recommendations aimed at overhauling India’s six-decade-old tax legislation.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism: “If the government is truly ready for discussion, then they should let the Leader of the Opposition speak. He stood up to speak, and he should be allowed to do so.”

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi hit out at the government, alleging that Opposition members were being denied the right to speak. “The question is, why is the Defence Minister allowed to speak in the House while Opposition members, including me as LoP, are not? This is a new approach. Conventionally, if ministers can speak, the Opposition should also be allowed,” he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the House that the government was fully prepared to engage on any topic raised by the Opposition. “The government is completely ready for discussion on any issue,” he said.

Speaker Om Birla expressed disappointment at the disruptions. “This is the Question Hour, and the government is willing to discuss every issue. The House should function, and discussions must take place as per the rules and procedures,” he said.

In a post on X, Birla described Parliament as a “sacred temple of democracy,” adding that its effective functioning depends on “collaboration and meaningful debate.”

When the House reconvened at noon, the uproar continued. Opposition members demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to a second adjournment till 2 PM.

The Lok Sabha met at 11 AM on July 23, but proceedings were immediately disrupted as Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding a detailed discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till noon after his appeals for order failed.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to resume at 11 AM in both Houses. The stage is already set for a stormy day as the Opposition plans to escalate demands for a detailed debate on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the government’s Operation Sindoor, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Follow this live blog for minute-by-minute updates, sharp insights, and key takeaways from the Monsoon Session as they unfold.