New Delhi, July 30: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday strongly criticized opposition parties, particularly the Congress, for politicizing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted in Bihar.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Pradhan asserted that the SIR is a constitutional and long-standing mechanism under the purview of the Election Commission, and any protest against it amounts to undermining democratic institutions.

“The people who are roaming around with the Constitution are the ones mocking the Constitution the most. SIR is a system of our Election Commission, and it has been happening for a long time. These people are only using it for their political benefit. It is highly condemnable.",” Pradhan said, referring to opposition leaders protesting the SIR process.

The Minister emphasized that the SIR is not a new initiative, but a routine administrative exercise aimed at updating electoral rolls and ensuring accuracy in voter data.

Opposition parties, including members of the INDIA bloc, have staged protests in Parliament and across Bihar, alleging that the SIR is being used to disenfranchise voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Some leaders claim the rushed nature of the exercise could unfairly impact marginalized communities.

Pradhan dismissed these concerns, stating, “These people are only using it for their political benefit. It is highly condemnable.” He further questioned the logic of debating Election Commission procedures in Parliament, comparing it to debating Supreme Court decisions—both being independent constitutional bodies.

The Election Commission has recently said that over 99% of Bihar’s electorate has been covered under the SIR process, with approximately 35 lakh voters identified as having permanently migrated. Despite opposition backlash, the EC maintains that the exercise is essential for maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls.

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