Rajya Sabha adjourned twice amid opposition SIR protest

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday, twice during the first half, after Opposition MPs disrupted proceeding demanding discussion on the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Soon after the House met for the day and after the listing of papers, Opposition members were on their feet raising slogans in support of their demands including a discussion of Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides on the Bihar SIR issue.

Several Opposition members including those from the Congress had given adjournment notices for suspending the day's business and holding an immediate discussion on the SIR issue.

CPI member P Sandosh Kumar had given a notice to discuss the "unexpected and unprecedented" resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The morning proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon within minutes of the start of the day's proceedings, after Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected the 12 adjournment notices on several issues by Opposition members under Rule 267.

As the House met again at 12 noon for the Question Hour, the Opposition protest continued with several of them raising slogans.

Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was chairing the proceedings, informed the House regarding a notification (dated July 22, 2025) by the Ministry of Home Affairs conveying resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with immediate effect.

After that, he called the members to raise the listed questions.

However, opposition members continued to protest, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House till 2 pm.

One of the members had demanded discussion on resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post of Vice President of India.

Ten opposition members were seeking immediate discussion on concerns arising out of the Election Commission's decision to carry out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

As the Chair did not accept their adjournment notices, Opposition parties, including the Congress started protesting. The Deputy Chairman adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.

Harivansh was chairing the proceedings of the morning session, a day after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post citing medical reasons.

Vice President of India is ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Usually, Dhankhar used to chair the proceedings at the beginning of the day.