Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out on Friday amid vociferous protests by Opposition members, who were demanding a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and its rollback.
Some of the Opposition members tried to enter the well but were blocked by marshalls in the house, leading to strong objections by some leaders. They later alleged that it was a “paramilitary takeover” of the house.
When the House reassembled at 12 noon, some TMC and DMK MPs tried to enter the well, but were blocked by security personnel at the entry point. However, some MPs, including some women, sneaked into the well and raised slogans. They also protested against the blockade by security staff.
Among some of the members who protested in the well were Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghosh, Derek O’Brien (all of TMC), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), and Sanjay Singh (AAP).
The Rajya Sabha could not function on Friday, and both the Zero Hour and Question Hour became casualties. They raised slogans against SIR and demanded its withdrawal.
In the afternoon session, there was no let-up in the protests.
Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the chair, asked Vivek Tankha (Congress) to ask his supplementary question, urging protesting members to return to their seats and allow the question hour to function.
However, Tankha said he cannot speak as the House was not in order. Amid the din, the chair adjourned the Rajya Sabha for the day, as opposition members continued with their sloganeering inside the well and spoke into the microphones.
The House will now meet again on Monday morning.