Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts proceedings in the House amid protest by opposition members in the well on the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, December 1. (Sansad TV via PTI Photo)
Winter Session: Govt not averse to discussing SIR, says Rijiju
Day 1 begins on expected lines: both Houses adjourned over SIR protests, chaos
The first day of the Winter session witnessed repeated adjournments of the Lok Sabha and an Opposition walkout from the Rajya Sabha over the demand for a debate on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as the government asserted that it is not averse to a discussion, but a timeline could not be set.
PM blasts Opposition ahead of session
Interacting with reporters in Parliament House complex before the start of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition, accusing it of turning Parliament into a "warm-up arena" for elections or as an outlet to vent out frustration after defeat, and offered to give them tips to bring positivity in politics.
He said Parliament was not a place for drama but delivery.
FM introduces two bills
In the Lok Sabha, amid disruptions, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two new bills that seek to repurpose levies on 'sin goods' such as tobacco, pan masala and related products.
The bills were introduced ahead of the scheduled phaseout of the GST compensation cess levied on them.
Rijiju on SIR in Rajya Sabha
In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the government is not averse to discussing SIR or electoral reforms and asked the Opposition not to insist on setting a timeline.
He was responding to Opposition members who were demanding an immediate discussion on the SIR or electoral reforms in the House.
Not satisfied with the minister's response, members of several Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Upper House.
Responding to the Opposition parties' demand to start an immediate discussion on the ongoing SIR exercise in nine states and three Union Territories, Rijiju sought more time to respond to the matter.
Rajya Sabha Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, had earlier disallowed notices given by nine Opposition members on several issues, including a discussion on SIR, leading to protests by the Opposition.
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Live Updates
- 1 Dec 2025 12:09 PM IST
Kharge recalls Dhankhar's unexpected exii as Rajya Sabha chairman
“ I am constrained to refer to the sudden and unexpected exit of your predecessor from the office of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha which is unprecedented in the annals of Parliamentary history. Chairman, Rajya Sabha, being the custodian of the entire House belongs as much to the Opposition as to the Government. I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him a farewell,” says Mallikarjun Kharge.
- 1 Dec 2025 12:01 PM IST
Congress assures cooperation to Rajya Sabha chairman
“ Indian National Congress staunchly stands by constitutional values and time-honoured Parliamentary traditions, structured debates and smooth conduct of proceedings of the House. Hence, Sir, kindly be assured of our cooperation with you in the conduct of the proceedings of the House. Fair and impartial conduct of the proceedings of the House and providinga just opportunity to members of each party, irrespective of the fact whether they belong to the Opposition or the Treasury benches. Needless to say that it is essential for the credibility of the August office,” says Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
- 1 Dec 2025 11:48 AM IST
Kharge stresses Rajya Sabha chairman's impartiality
“Chairman Sir, on you rests the heavy responsibility of ensuring the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the August Council of the States, which goes a long way in maintaining the dignity of the House,” says Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as he emphasises the impartiality of the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
- 1 Dec 2025 11:35 AM IST
I saw the bond you forged with tribals in Jharkhand: Modi to Radhakrishnan
In Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi says, "I saw the bond you (Chairman CP Radhakrishnan) forged with the tribal communities in Jharkhand. The way you visited even small villages, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand would proudly mention these things whenever he met me. Whether you had a helicopter or not, you would travel in whatever vehicle you had, stopping at small places at night. We all know your spirit of service and the way you took it to new heights as Governor... I have realised one thing that people sometimes feel the burden of their position, and sometimes they get overwhelmed by protocol. But I've noticed that you have no connection with protocol..."
- 1 Dec 2025 11:27 AM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 noon, following a ruckus by the Opposition over the demand for discussions during the Zero Hour.
- 1 Dec 2025 11:24 AM IST
All members will take care of your dignity as well: Modi in RS
In Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi says, “Respected Chairman, the Winter Session is beginning today and it is a proud moment for all members of the House. It is a proud moment to welcome you...On behalf of the House, I heartily congratulate you. And I wish you all the best.”“I assure you that all the members sitting in this House, while maintaining the dignity of the Upper House, will always take care of your dignity as well. I assure you that they will maintain decorum. Our Chairman comes from a simple family, a farmer's family, and he has dedicated his entire life to social service. The political field has been one aspect of it, but the mainstream has been social service. He has been dedicated to society. He is an inspiration and a guide for all of us who are interested in social service.” - 1 Dec 2025 11:17 AM IST
Mayawati appeals for smooth and orderly Winter Session
BSP chief Mayawati has appealed to both the ruling dispensation and the opposition to ensure a smooth and orderly Winter Session of Parliament so that crucial national and public-interest issues like air pollution in Delhi and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls can be discussed meaningfully.
In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister cautioned that, like previous sessions, the Winter Session beginning Monday is expected to witness considerable uproar. However, she stressed that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) wants both Houses to function smoothly to allow substantive debate on urgent matters.
She also highlighted the practical difficulties and objections arising during the ongoing SIR, along with the challenges faced by booth-level officers (BLOs), pointing to incidents of suicides allegedly linked to work pressure.
These issues, she said, need to be addressed through proper discussion and effective solutions.
“Merely trading allegations will not help,” the BSP supremo said, urging political parties to rise above self-interest.
She asserted that both the government and the opposition must act with sensitivity and seriousness to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament in the larger national and public interest.
Mayawati expressed hope that the Winter Session would pave the way for constructive efforts to resolve these pressing concerns.
- 1 Dec 2025 11:07 AM IST
Young, first-time MPs should get opportunity to speak: PM
PM Narendra Modi says, "The MPs who have been elected to the House for the first time or who are young are very upset and unhappy. They are not being given a chance to prove their mettle. They are not being given a chance to speak about the problems of their constituency. We should give opportunities to these young MPs, first-time MPs. Our House should benefit from their experiences. The country will benefit through the House from the experiences of this new generation, and hence, I appeal to us to take these matters seriously."
- 1 Dec 2025 11:04 AM IST
They (Opposition parties) vent all their anger in the House: PM
PM Narendra Modi said, "If our media friends analyse, they will find that for some time now, this House has been used either for election warm-up or to vent frustration over defeat. I have seen some states where, after being in power, there is so much anti-incumbency that they are unable to reach out to the public. They are unable to express their views before the people, and so they vent all their anger in the House. And some parties have started a new trend of using the House for their state politics. Now they should reconsider the game they have been playing for the last 10 years, which the country is not accepting. They should at least change their methods and their strategies. I am ready to give them tips on how they should perform, but at least do not ignore the rights of MPs; give them the opportunity to express themselves..." - 1 Dec 2025 11:02 AM IST
Drama is not allowing democratic discussions about key issues: Priyanka
On PM Narendra Modi's statement, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "... Election situation, SIR, and pollution are huge issues. Let us discuss them. What is the Parliament for? It's not drama. Speaking about and raising issues is not drama. Drama is not allowing democratic discussions about issues that matter to the public..."
