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IN PHOTOS: Sonia Gandhi joins Opposition protest at Parliament’s Makar Dwar

Updated On: 31 July, 2025 07:18 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

On Day 11 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi stood in solidarity with MPs of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. She joined their protest at Makar Dwar outside Parliament on Thursday, where the lawmakers were agitating against the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar (PICS/ PTI )

On Day 11 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi stood in solidarity with MPs of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. She joined their protest at Makar Dwar outside Parliament on Thursday, where the lawmakers were agitating against the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar (PICS/ PTI )

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On Day 11 of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi stood in solidarity with MPs of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. She joined their protest at Makar Dwar outside Parliament on Thursday, where the lawmakers were agitating against the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar (PICS/ PTI )
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The protest focused on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in poll-bound Bihar, and the alleged arrests of labourers in BJP-ruled states. Opposition leaders have raised concerns that the SIR process is being used as a political tool to suppress democratic practices</span></p>

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The protest focused on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in poll-bound Bihar, and the alleged arrests of labourers in BJP-ruled states. Opposition leaders have raised concerns that the SIR process is being used as a political tool to suppress democratic practices

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Holding a banner that read "SIR &ndash; Attack on Democracy," Sonia Gandhi stood beside her daughter and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi during the protest. Several other senior leaders, including Pramod Tiwari and Manickam Tagore, also took part in the demonstration</span></p>

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Holding a banner that read "SIR – Attack on Democracy," Sonia Gandhi stood beside her daughter and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi during the protest. Several other senior leaders, including Pramod Tiwari and Manickam Tagore, also took part in the demonstration

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The protest also included a visual element, a cartoon that depicted a figure labelled "EC" (Election Commission) in uniform, shackled and holding an EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), with a speech bubble saying "YES SIR." The image was widely shared online with the hashtag #SIR, suggesting that the Election Commission is allegedly operating under the influence of the central government</span></p>

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The protest also included a visual element, a cartoon that depicted a figure labelled "EC" (Election Commission) in uniform, shackled and holding an EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), with a speech bubble saying "YES SIR." The image was widely shared online with the hashtag #SIR, suggesting that the Election Commission is allegedly operating under the influence of the central government

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, the List of Business for Thursday includes several major legislative and procedural items. Among them is a statutory resolution seeking to extend the President`s Rule in Manipur, and the consideration of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025</span></p>

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Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, the List of Business for Thursday includes several major legislative and procedural items. Among them is a statutory resolution seeking to extend the President`s Rule in Manipur, and the consideration of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a resolution in the Rajya Sabha to extend the proclamation issued under Article 356 for Manipur. The current term, which began on February 13, 2025, is proposed to be extended by another six months starting from August 13, 2025</span></p>

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move a resolution in the Rajya Sabha to extend the proclamation issued under Article 356 for Manipur. The current term, which began on February 13, 2025, is proposed to be extended by another six months starting from August 13, 2025

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will present the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, in the Upper House for consideration and passage. The Bill, which has already cleared the Lok Sabha, outlines the responsibilities, rights, liabilities, and protections of sea carriers involved in the shipment of goods</span></p>

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Additionally, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will present the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, in the Upper House for consideration and passage. The Bill, which has already cleared the Lok Sabha, outlines the responsibilities, rights, liabilities, and protections of sea carriers involved in the shipment of goods

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In another key development, Minister of State L Murugan will move a motion for the election of ten Rajya Sabha members to the Committee on the Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). According to the motion, the Rajya Sabha will join the joint committee for a one-year term, starting from the committee&rsquo;s first sitting</span></p>

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In another key development, Minister of State L Murugan will move a motion for the election of ten Rajya Sabha members to the Committee on the Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). According to the motion, the Rajya Sabha will join the joint committee for a one-year term, starting from the committee’s first sitting

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The day&rsquo;s proceedings will also include multiple ministerial statements regarding the implementation status of Parliamentary Committee recommendations. Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Shobha Karandlaje are scheduled to present updates on sectors including Posts, Telecommunications, Labour, and Personnel</span></p>

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The day’s proceedings will also include multiple ministerial statements regarding the implementation status of Parliamentary Committee recommendations. Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Shobha Karandlaje are scheduled to present updates on sectors including Posts, Telecommunications, Labour, and Personnel

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moreover, MPs Dinesh Sharma and S Selvaganabathy will table several reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. These reports detail government responses to recommendations made during the 2024&ndash;25 Demands for Grants for ministries such as Finance, Corporate Affairs, Planning, and Statistics</span></p>

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Moreover, MPs Dinesh Sharma and S Selvaganabathy will table several reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. These reports detail government responses to recommendations made during the 2024–25 Demands for Grants for ministries such as Finance, Corporate Affairs, Planning, and Statistics

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