The opposition has made clear it will not allow smooth business unless the SIR issue is addressed at the outset. Opposition spokesmen warn they could stall proceedings if their demand is ignored, arguing SIR raises serious concerns about voter disenfranchisement in states where the revision exercise is underway.
Government strategists appear to believe the Vande Mataram commemoration will co-opt the session’s tone, but critics argue the event is being used to overshadow electoral controversy. The Vande Mataram discussion was proposed by government leaders at a Business Advisory Committee meeting ahead of the session; sources say the government wants the original full text of the song read out in both Houses and have dubbed it a “national reflection” against the backdrop of the song’s 150-year milestone.
Backers of SIR say the electoral rolls exercise is meant to clean up outdated or fraudulent entries ahead of several state assemblies scheduled in 2026, as per data from the Election Commission of India. Detractors warn the exercise — currently under way in a dozen states and union territories — may be used to disenfranchise vulnerable or mobile populations, especially internal migrants.
Among the key bills on the agenda is the Atomic Energy Bill 2025, expected to revamp regulatory oversight and open pathways for private participation in India’s nuclear sector. Another major proposal, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025, aims to replace existing regulatory bodies with a new institutional framework for higher education, prompting debate over accountability and academic autonomy.
With air pollution and environmental issues also slated for discussion, some members of the opposition believe the government intends to push through legislation quickly while symbolic debates keep the spotlight off bigger governance questions. Analysts warn that if the chairperson disallows criticism of electoral bodies or procedural challenges, as suggested by House norms recently invoked, debates on SIR could be effectively curtailed — creating further tension.