Patna: The Bihar Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers staged a vociferous protest over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, demanding an immediate discussion on the matter. The session, marked by shouting, slogan-chanting, and scenes of unrest, was adjourned twice amid escalating tension—once just 21 minutes after it began.
Dramatic scenes unfolded in the House as opposition members stormed the well, lifted chairs in protest, and, in a moment captured on video, hurled paper towards Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Marshals intervened to restore order, struggling to contain the uproar.
The commotion began shortly after the House convened at 2pm, with Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav denouncing the SIR process, calling it “anti-democratic” and alleging it threatened the integrity of the electoral roll. “Bihar is the cradle of democracy,” Yadav said, “and yet democracy is under attack.” He warned that the removal of voters from the electoral list would disenfranchise citizens and questioned where such a discussion should take place if not in the Assembly.
Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav dismissed Yadav’s demand for an immediate debate, stating that opposition members had earlier been invited to speak but had not utilised the opportunity. The opposition erupted in protest, waving placards, shouting slogans against the chief minister, and ignoring repeated appeals for calm.
“The intention of the opposition is clearly to create disruption, not to represent the voice of the people,” the Speaker said, before adjourning proceedings until 11am on Wednesday.
