Day 12 of Monsoon Session turns tense as INDIA bloc protests Bihar voter list changes, while PM earns NDA praise for response to Pahalgam attack
The atmosphere in Parliament turned electric on Tuesday morning as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was showered with praise by NDA allies for his government’s military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. At the same time, just outside the hallowed halls, leaders of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc staged a high-decibel protest targeting what they call a “deliberate and dangerous” revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
And that contrast — cheers inside, chants outside — summed up Day 12 of the Monsoon Session in a nutshell.
A Rare NDA Huddle — and a Warm Reception for Modi
At around 9:30 am, Prime Minister Modi entered the NDA parliamentary party meeting to thundering applause. It was only the second such meet of the BJP-led alliance since the government’s formation in June 2024.
But this one had a purpose.
He was felicitated for the government’s decisive response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, codenamed Operation Sindoor, which officials say “neutralised all threats within 48 hours” and “restored public confidence.”
BJP MPs gifted Modi a large framed photograph of security forces hoisting the tricolour on a snow-covered ridge in south Kashmir, as several MPs stood up to speak in support of the strike.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly told colleagues, “This is the kind of leadership that gives Pakistan sleepless nights.”
INDIA Bloc Protests at Parliament Gates
Meanwhile, just outside the Makar Dwar gate of Parliament, dozens of Opposition MPs, led by senior Congress, RJD, DMK, and TMC leaders, gathered at 10:30 am holding placards and chanting slogans.
Their anger was directed squarely at the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out in Bihar — a process they claim is opaque, politically motivated, and potentially aimed at disenfranchising targeted communities before the 2025 Bihar Assembly election.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh accused the Centre of trying to “tilt the electoral playing field by cleansing voter lists under the guise of administrative cleanup.”
Others echoed similar concerns.
One Opposition leader said: “This isn’t about cleaning up the rolls — it’s about cleaning out voters who don’t suit the BJP’s arithmetic.”
Parliament Remains Unsteady
Inside the building, tensions weren’t far behind.
The Lok Sabha, already disrupted on Monday by the same SIR issue, saw continued opposition sloganeering. Some MPs walked out, others shouted over ministers trying to speak. Speaker Om Birla called for order repeatedly, but with little effect.
The Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, was adjourned for the day in respect of veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren, who passed away Monday at age 81.
It marked a solemn pause in an otherwise combative session.
Sports Bills on the Agenda — If Anyone’s Listening
Despite the noise, Parliament did have a legislative agenda — at least on paper.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was expected to move amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, aimed at aligning India’s anti-doping framework more closely with international protocols.
He was also set to introduce the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, which proposes sweeping changes to how sports federations are monitored and held accountable.
However, with the Opposition demanding a full debate on Bihar’s SIR process first, chances of meaningful discussion remained slim.
Operation Sindoor: What We Know
While many details are still classified, here’s what has emerged about Operation Sindoor — the military mission launched following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed six Army personnel and two civilians.
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The operation involved coordinated strikes by the Army’s Para SF units and CRPF in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district
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A total of nine suspected militants were killed over a 48-hour period
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UAVs and satellite tracking were used to monitor hideouts
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The group behind the attack is believed to be Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked, with cross-border handlers still active
Senior officials say this swift retaliation has re-established deterrence and sent “a message across the LoC.”
Tensions Over Bihar’s Voter List
At the heart of the Opposition protest lies the concern that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s voter rolls is being fast-tracked without transparency.
The Election Commission, while technically independent, has been under pressure to explain:
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Why Bihar was selected for SIR ahead of more populous states like Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra
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Why several districts with high minority populations are seeing disproportionate voter deletions
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Why data verification is being outsourced to private agencies in certain blocks
Here’s a snapshot of reported voter deletions in key Bihar districts since June:
| District | Estimated Deletions | Minority Population (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kishanganj | 17,200 | 67% |
| Araria | 15,900 | 54% |
| Purnia | 12,700 | 47% |
| Siwan | 9,300 | 34% |
| Gaya | 6,800 | 24% |
Election Commission officials have insisted the process is “routine” and guided by verification protocols, but have yet to hold a public briefing.
A Parliament Session Running on Two Tracks
Tuesday’s developments reflect a Parliament that appears to be operating on two separate tracks.
Inside — the ruling alliance pushing through praise, bills, and ceremonies.
Outside — the opposition mounting a full-throated offensive against what it sees as democracy under threat.
The emotional contrast couldn’t be sharper: the NDA cheering Modi for taking the fight to militants, and the INDIA bloc warning that India’s electoral foundation is being quietly reshaped.
Only time will tell which narrative finds more traction.
