Opposition MPs continued protests in the Lok Sabha for the fifth consecutive day, demanding the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks, adjourning the proceedings till Monday with no legislative business being dealt with. They raised placards and placards demanding Pradhan’s dismissal.
The National Democratic Alliance led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition lawmakers led by the Congress Party also held protests outside the House of Representatives.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju made repeated appeals, warning that failure to hold a discussion sends the wrong signal. “You asked [Congress lawmaker] KC Venugopal once again…We are all of the opinion that there should be a debate…Prime Minister [Prime Minister Narendra Modi] The nation was reassured. He said Sonam Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike and demanded a discussion.
Wangchuk ended his hunger strike shortly after midnight on Friday in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He began his fast nearly a month ago to support the protesting students demanding Pradhan’s resignation.
Rijiju said that opposition members can speak as long as they want and the discussion can last for two days. He added that the opposition can decide the date and duration of the discussion in both chambers.
Congress stuck to its demands for Pradhan’s resignation, action against those responsible for the violence against student protesters, and Modi’s apology to the youth.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said Modi’s statement on the issue was provocative and that the administration had evaded responsibility for the compromised tests. He added: “The Minister of Education must resign, and only then will we be ready to discuss.”
The Samajwadi Party legislator called for Pradhan’s removal, questioning the government’s handling of student suicides after the paper was leaked. She criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah over police actions against protesters on July 20.
Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned Modi’s absence from the House. “Such a big disturbance is happening; the youth of the nation are sitting outside, but the Prime Minister has not come to Parliament. And you ask me why Parliament is not working?”
