SIR rumble rocks Lok Sabha

Oppn stages walkout in Rajya Sabha; Minister Rijiju seeks time to take call on the matter

- JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

The Winter Session of Parliament opened on a discordant note on Monday, with the Lok Sabha repeatedly disrupted and eventually adjourned for the day after Opposition MPs pressed for an immediate debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, even as the government proceeded with planned legislative business.

As the House met at 11 am, Opposition members rose, raising slogans on the SIR issue. Speaker Om Birla appealed for order, reminding MPs that the House "is not for slogans" and that "there is ample space outside to do that." The Lok Sabha functioned for only 18 minutes before the first adjournment.