Opposition INDIA Bloc Slams ‘Unprecedented CISF Deployment’ in Rajya Sabha: Sparks Row Over Democratic Freedoms and Protest Rights

A massive political storm erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Friday as the Opposition INDIA bloc expressed deep outrage over what it termed as an “unprecedented and disturbing development”—the presence and intervention of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel inside the Upper House of Parliament.

The dramatic escalation has triggered a new flashpoint between the Opposition parties and the ruling BJP-led government, further intensifying the ongoing political battle over the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue.

The day witnessed vociferous protests and emotional outbursts from several Opposition leaders, who viewed the presence of CISF personnel inside the sacred precincts of the Rajya Sabha as a serious breach of parliamentary norms, democratic conventions, and the autonomy of the legislature.

Kharge: Democratic Protest Treated as Security Threat

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the deployment of CISF personnel in the Well of the House, traditionally regarded as the symbolic centre for staging parliamentary protests.

“We are astonished and shocked at the manner in which CISF personnel were made to run into the well of the House when members were exercising their democratic rights to protest,” wrote Kharge.

He further said that not only on Thursday (August 1) but also on Friday, MPs witnessed uniformed security personnel physically preventing elected representatives from approaching the Well—a space historically used for expressing dissent within parliamentary decorum.

“Has our Parliament been reduced to such a level? This is most objectionable, and we condemn it unequivocally,” Kharge added, describing the visuals as “disturbing.”

Opposition MPs Blocked, Yet Some Breached Barricades

When the Rajya Sabha re-assembled post adjournment at 12 noon, a number of MPs from Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) attempted to approach the Well to protest against the government over the Bihar SIR issue.

However, in a dramatic turn, they were blocked by security forces—believed to be marshals and CISF personnel—stationed inside the chamber. Despite the blockade, some MPs managed to breach the barricade and entered the Well, raising slogans and holding placards.

Among the key MPs who participated in the protest were:

• Derek O’Brien, Trinamool’s Leader in Rajya Sabha

• Sagarika Ghose, TMC Deputy Leader

• Nadimul Haque, TMC MP

• Tiruchi Siva, DMK MP

• Sanjay Singh, Aam Aadmi Party MP

Their protest was aimed not only at condemning the physical restrictions imposed on parliamentarians but also to demand a full-fledged discussion on the alleged irregularities in Bihar’s electoral rolls under the SIR process.

Jairam Ramesh and Derek O’Brien Call It a Democratic Crisis

Adding fuel to the fire, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh expressed deep dismay in a post on X (formerly Twitter), linking the security deployment to the broader political climate in Parliament. He said:

“After the sudden and unprecedented resignation of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, we are now seeing the takeover of the chamber of the Council of States by CISF personnel. This is not governance. This is authoritarianism.”

TMC’s Derek O’Brien echoed similar sentiments, terming the entire episode as “never seen before” in the history of the Indian Parliament. He posted:

“Rajya Sabha today. Unprecedented. Marshals (or CISF personnel) pre-emptively barricade Well. Never seen anything like this before. So scared to discuss SIR-vote chori. Modi-Shah, INDIA will fight you to the finish. See you Monday.”

These remarks have sparked widespread public debate on the sanctity of parliamentary procedures and the implications of deploying central forces within a legislative institution meant to function independently of executive control.

What Is the Bihar SIR Controversy?

The Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue pertains to alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision in the state, with the Opposition accusing the Election Commission and the ruling party of manipulating voter data, selectively deleting names, and altering voter lists to sway electoral outcomes. The Opposition had demanded a comprehensive debate on this matter in both Houses of Parliament.

Their demands, however, were met with repeated disruptions and adjournments, culminating in the now-controversial deployment of security personnel in the Rajya Sabha chamber—ostensibly to prevent what authorities called “potential disruptions to order.”

Both Houses Adjourned Amid Rising Tensions

In light of the uproar and escalating tensions, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 11 am on Monday, August 4. Opposition parties have made it clear that the issue will not be allowed to fade away and that they will continue to raise their voice in the upcoming sessions.

The INDIA bloc, an alliance of over two dozen Opposition parties, is also reportedly planning a joint press conference and strategy session over the weekend to address the unfolding constitutional and political crisis.

A New Precedent or Democratic Overreach?

The deployment of CISF inside the Parliament, though not entirely unprecedented in cases of grave security threats, has never before been used to block peaceful legislative protests by MPs inside the chamber. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent, where law enforcement could be misused to suppress dissent even within democratic institutions.

Legal experts and constitutional scholars have begun weighing in, calling for a thorough inquiry into the episode and clarification from the Chair of the Rajya Sabha and the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry about the decision-making process behind the deployment.

As of now, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has not released an official clarification on whether the personnel were marshals acting under the Chair’s directive or CISF staff deployed under broader security protocols. However, the visuals shared by MPs strongly suggest a heightened security presence within the chamber, highly unusual by parliamentary standards.

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