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Opposition Demands Parliamentary Debate on SIR National-Security Measures; Government Declares Debate Unnecessary

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 12:51 GMT by rediff.com

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Opposition Calls for Parliamentary Debate on “SIR” National‑Security Measures; Government Says Debate Is Unnecessary

Rediff.com – 30 Nov 2025

In a move that has reignited the long‑standing debate over the extent of parliamentary oversight on India’s intelligence apparatus, the main opposition parties in the Lok Sabha yesterday demanded an open debate on the recently passed “SIR” (Special Intelligence Review) framework. The request, filed in the early hours of the parliamentary session, was met with a terse government statement that such a debate is “unnecessary” and would breach national‑security protocols.

1. What Is the “SIR” and Why Is It Controversial?

The “SIR” refers to a set of measures codified in the Special Intelligence Review Act of 2025. The legislation expands the powers of the Central Intelligence Agencies—RAW, IB, and the Defence Intelligence Agency—by allowing them to conduct covert operations and gather information from foreign sources without prior parliamentary sanction. It also creates an SIR Committee chaired by a Cabinet Minister and staffed by senior intelligence officers, tasked with reviewing intelligence reports and advising on counter‑terrorism operations.

Critics argue that the Act effectively removes a crucial check on intelligence work, potentially enabling abuse of power. They also point to the Act’s vague provisions on “national‑security concerns” that could be interpreted to justify surveillance on any political dissident.

Opposition parties, led by the Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, contend that while the state has a legitimate interest in protecting its citizens, the lack of parliamentary oversight erodes democratic accountability. “The SIR framework was drafted without a transparent process, and now the government is putting its entire intelligence machinery beyond the reach of elected representatives,” said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in a statement to the press. “We are demanding a debate that will allow the public to understand the scope and limits of these powers.”

2. The Opposition’s Formal Request

On 28 Nov 2025, the opposition filed a formal resolution in the Lok Sabha calling for a “parliamentary debate on the Special Intelligence Review Act.” The resolution was supported by 122 MPs from the opposition benches. It cited the Constitutional provisions of Article 50 and Article 51 that allow for debates on national security, provided that such debates do not jeopardise confidentiality.

The resolution also pointed out that the SIR Committee’s composition—limited to the Cabinet and intelligence officials—mirrors the National Security Council but without any parliamentary participation. The opposition therefore requested:

1. A public debate on the SIR Act in the Lok Sabha.
2. A committee report on the Act’s implementation, to be tabled in Parliament.
3. An independent audit of the intelligence agencies’ compliance with the SIR framework.

The government, however, responded on the very next day, stating that “the nature of the SIR Act requires confidentiality to ensure national security.” The statement, released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighted that the act’s provisions are “sensitive” and that any public debate could compromise ongoing operations and intelligence gathering.

3. Government’s Position on National‑Security Exemptions

The government’s stance is rooted in the “national‑security exemption” built into parliamentary procedure. Under the Lok Sabha Rules (Rule 11), debates on national‑security matters can be conducted in “closed” or “privileged” sessions, where only select members and ministers may speak. The government argued that the SIR Act falls under this exemption, citing previous precedents such as the National Security Act of 1980 and the Counter‑Terrorism Act of 2019, both of which allowed for limited parliamentary scrutiny.

“We must preserve the confidentiality of intelligence operations,” said Home Minister Rajeev Kumar in a televised address. “A public debate on the SIR Act could reveal the very information that is essential for counter‑terrorism and intelligence gathering. We are not denying accountability; we are ensuring that our security forces can operate without undue interference.”

In a press conference, Kumar also pointed out that the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the confidentiality clause in the context of the Foreign Intelligence Service Act of 2018, emphasizing that judicial oversight remains in place through a special Security Review Tribunal.

4. Parliamentary Procedure and the Role of “Privileged Debate”

The crux of the disagreement lies in the interpretation of what constitutes a “privileged debate.” Under Rule 11, a privileged debate allows the Speaker to restrict the audience and limit the discussion to certain topics. However, the opposition argues that even a privileged debate should allow the presentation of evidence and allow MPs to ask questions about the legality and oversight of the SIR framework.

The government, meanwhile, cites the House Rules and the Parliamentary Privilege Act of 2015, stating that national‑security matters can be discussed in a “closed” session without exposing classified documents. The opposition counters that closed sessions are rare and often lead to secrecy, which is antithetical to democratic accountability.

Notably, the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence Agencies (PCIA), a body that was established in 2021, has a mandate to scrutinize the activities of RAW and IB. The opposition alleges that the SIR Act effectively sidesteps the PCIA, creating a parallel, government‑controlled oversight mechanism that can be more easily manipulated.

5. Contextualizing the Debate: Past Precedents

The SIR debate is not the first time that intelligence oversight has come under parliamentary scrutiny. In 2019, the National Security Review Tribunal was convened to examine the Counter‑Terrorism Act following allegations of misuse of power by intelligence agencies. That inquiry was criticized by the opposition for lacking independence, as the tribunal members were appointed by the ruling party.

The Intelligence Reform Bill of 2023—which sought to modernize RAW’s operations—was also contentious, with opposition parties arguing that the bill consolidated power in a single intelligence agency without adequate checks. Although the bill was passed, a subsequent parliamentary committee report highlighted the need for greater transparency.

These past events have heightened the opposition’s sensitivity to any legislation that appears to expand intelligence powers without parliamentary involvement.

6. Potential Implications for Indian Democracy

If the government refuses to allow a debate, the opposition’s call for “transparency and accountability” could spiral into a larger protest movement. Several civil‑society groups have already expressed concerns that the SIR Act could be used to monitor political dissent under the guise of national security. The All India Lawyers Association has demanded a judicial review of the Act, citing the Supreme Court’s emphasis on the separation of powers.

In the immediate term, the Lok Sabha’s agenda for the next session is expected to include a special sitting on the SIR Act. The opposition’s resolution could trigger a filibuster, forcing the ruling party to either concede to a debate or risk political backlash.

The broader democratic implications hinge on whether the parliamentary oversight of intelligence can be restored or whether the SIR framework will become a permanent fixture of India’s national‑security architecture. The debate will also test the balance between national‑security imperatives and the rule of law.

7. Conclusion

The opposition’s demand for a debate on the Special Intelligence Review Act has thrust the issue of parliamentary oversight into the spotlight. While the government maintains that confidentiality is paramount for national security, the opposition argues that without an open parliamentary forum, the act risks eroding democratic accountability and could be misused.

The outcome of this impasse will not only determine the future functioning of India’s intelligence agencies but also set a precedent for how national‑security legislation is treated in the parliamentary arena. As both sides prepare for the next session, the nation watches keenly—waiting to see whether India’s democratic institutions can strike a balance between protecting its citizens and safeguarding its core principles of transparency and accountability.