Fri. Aug 15th, 2025

The Indian opposition parties have come together to stage a protest outside the Parliament against the ‘Sir’ exercise being conducted in Bihar. The exercise, which aims to collect data on the socio-economic status of individuals, has raised concerns among the opposition parties regarding data collection and privacy. The protest, which was attended by leaders from various opposition parties, including the Congress, the Left, and the Trinamool Congress, saw the participants holding placards and banners criticizing the exercise. The opposition parties have alleged that the exercise is an attempt by the government to collect personal data of citizens without their consent. They have also raised concerns over the potential misuse of the collected data. The ‘Sir’ exercise, which is being conducted by the Bihar government, involves the collection of data on the socio-economic status of individuals, including their income, occupation, and education level. The data is being collected through a door-to-door survey, where enumerators are visiting households and collecting information from the residents. The opposition parties have claimed that the exercise is a violation of the right to privacy, which is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. They have also alleged that the government is trying to create a surveillance state, where the citizens are being monitored and their personal data is being collected without their consent. The protest outside the Parliament is a clear indication of the opposition parties’ unity against the ‘Sir’ exercise. The leaders of the opposition parties have stated that they will continue to protest against the exercise until it is stopped. The Bihar government, on the other hand, has defended the exercise, stating that it is necessary for the development of the state. The government has claimed that the data collected through the exercise will be used to identify the beneficiaries of various government schemes and to allocate resources effectively. However, the opposition parties are not convinced by the government’s arguments and have vowed to continue their protest. The issue has also sparked a debate on social media, with many users expressing their concerns over the exercise. The hashtag #StopSirExercise has been trending on Twitter, with many users tweeting about the potential dangers of the exercise. The opposition parties have also received support from various civil society organizations, which have criticized the exercise as a violation of the right to privacy. The protest outside the Parliament is likely to escalate into a larger movement, with the opposition parties planning to organize more protests and rallies against the ‘Sir’ exercise. The issue has also raised questions about the role of the government in collecting personal data of citizens and the need for stricter data protection laws in India. The Indian government has been facing criticism for its handling of personal data, with many cases of data breaches and leaks being reported in the past. The ‘Sir’ exercise has added to the concerns, with many citizens questioning the government’s intentions behind collecting their personal data. The opposition parties have stated that they will continue to fight against the exercise and will not allow the government to compromise the privacy of citizens. The protest outside the Parliament is a significant development in the ongoing debate over data collection and privacy in India. The issue is likely to be discussed in the upcoming sessions of the Parliament, with the opposition parties planning to raise the issue and demand a stop to the ‘Sir’ exercise. The Bihar government’s decision to conduct the ‘Sir’ exercise has been widely criticized, with many experts questioning the need for such an exercise. The exercise has also raised concerns over the potential for data misuse, with many fearing that the collected data could be used for political purposes. The opposition parties have vowed to continue their protest until the exercise is stopped and the government agrees to implement stricter data protection laws. The issue has also sparked a debate over the role of technology in governance, with many questioning the need for door-to-door surveys in the digital age. The ‘Sir’ exercise has highlighted the need for a comprehensive data protection law in India, which can ensure that the personal data of citizens is protected and not misused. The opposition parties have stated that they will continue to fight for the rights of citizens and will not allow the government to compromise their privacy. The protest outside the Parliament is a clear indication of the opposition parties’ commitment to protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that the government is accountable for its actions.

Source