"Not happening for first time, was done in 2003 as well": JDU MP Sanjay Jha on Bihar SIR

New Delhi [India], July 25 (ANI): Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Friday defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, responding to criticism by pointing out that a similar exercise had been conducted in 2003.
Speaking to ANI, Jha further questioned the motive behind the objections being raised on the process.
"This SIR was done in 2003 as well, and its survey was completed within a month. This is not happening for the first time, and back then, the government belonged to the same people who are speaking out today... What do these people want? Do they want votes to be cast in the names of those who have passed away, and do they want those who have left Bihar to vote in two places? The Election Commission has given one month; if something wrong is happening, they can go and file a complaint with them," the JDU MP said.
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has erupted a massive row in the country, with opposition INDIA bloc alleging that it will delete a significant chunk of voters.
Earlier today, several opposition parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha moved Suspension of Business notices, urging a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury moved a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha on Friday morning, demanding the suspension of house business to discuss the SIR exercise being carried out by the Election Commission (EC) in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh submitted a notice demanding a detailed discussion on the SIR process in Bihar, highlighting concerns over the voter list revision. Similarly, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan, Ashok Singh, Neeraj Dangi and Rajani Patil also gave notices under Rule 267, pressing for an immediate dialogue on the same issue.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned today amid sloganeering by Opposition members.
The Parliament has witnessed frequent adjournments for the last four days since it began on July 21. Yesterday, the proceedings in both houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid protests by the opposition.
Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge joined the protest by MPs of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) against the ongoing SIR of voter rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The protest, which entered its fifth consecutive day, was held at Parliament's Makar Dwar.
Several senior Congress leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and party leader Priyanka Gandhi, also participated in the protest. The MPs marched from the Gandhi statue on the Parliament premises ahead of the start of the day's session.
The MPs were seen carrying multiple posters and a large banner that read "SIR- Attack on Democracy.
"The India bloc MPs, at the Parliament premises, raised slogans against the Centre, chanting "Modi sarkar down down" and "Stop the attack on democracy." The MPs also tore down the posters in a symbolic gesture of rejecting the Bihar SIR. (ANI)