Government ready to call special Parliament session on SIR: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that the Modi government is also ready to summon a special session of Parliament to hold a detailed discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav in Raipur, Amit Shah challenged the Congress and opposition parties, especially Rahul Gandhi, to participate in a regular parliamentary debate instead of disrupting the proceedings of the House.

The Home Minister said that if the opposition has the courage, it should come forward and debate. He said that merely carrying a copy of the Constitution does not safeguard it, but it is also necessary to keep one's attitude constitutional.

Amit Shah alleged that the Congress has crippled the proceedings of Parliament. He said that the House should be allowed to function so that people can know the truth. He clarified that the government has nothing to hide and they are ready for every scrutiny on electoral issues including SIR.

Protests are being staged by opposition parties alleging large-scale deletion of names from voter lists during the SIR process.

On the other hand, the Election Commission has extended the deadline of SIR in several states due to voter verification. In Delhi, this process will now run till December 22, while the time for releasing final lists has also been extended in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Key developments

• Union Home Minister offered to call a special session of Parliament on the issue of SIR.
• Amit Shah challenged Congress and Rahul Gandhi to debate inside Parliament.
• Opposition parties are protesting against the deletion of names from voter lists.
• Election Commission extended the time for SIR in several states including Delhi and Maharashtra.