New Delhi, August 13: Parliament witnessed a turbulent day on Tuesday as Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar continued for the 15th day, even as both Houses managed to push through key legislation with little to no discussion.
In the Lok Sabha, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025 and the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 were passed without debate. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at streamlining bankruptcy resolutions and improving creditor recoveries, was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for review.
The Lower House also approved the formation of a three-member inquiry committee under the Judges’ Inquiry Act, 1968, to investigate allegations against Allahabad High Court Judge Yashwant Varma. The panel includes Justice Arvind Kumar of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava of the Madras High Court, and Senior Advocate B.V. Acharya of the Karnataka High Court. Justice Varma is already under Supreme Court indictment following the discovery of half-burnt currency notes at his official residence.
In the Rajya Sabha, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and the National Anti-Doping Bill were passed after a joint discussion, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asserting that the measures would ensure greater transparency in sports administration. The Income Tax Bill, 2025 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were also taken up and returned to the Lok Sabha.
Opposition Highlights “124-Year-Old Voter” in Electoral Rolls Protest
The Opposition’s protest over the SIR took a theatrical turn when INDIA bloc MPs donned T-shirts featuring the face of Minta Devi, a first-time woman voter from Daraundha Assembly constituency, who is listed in the electoral rolls as being 124 years old.
“Born when India had a Viceroy, still voting when we have Wi-Fi… Either she’s a time traveller or our voter list is pure fiction,” Congress leader Mansoor Khan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Protesters wore the slogan “124 Not Out” on their backs as they staged demonstrations outside Parliament.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple petitions challenging the EC’s SIR exercise, which the Opposition has dubbed an attempt at “vote theft.”
Both Houses adjourned for a brief recess until August 18, with the break covering the Independence Day holiday.
Trump Blasts India-Russia Ties: ‘They Can Take Their Dead Economies Down Together’