The Opposition’s demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has brought an end to the first week of Parliament’s monsoon session, with no solution in sight to break the deadlock between the government and the opposition parties.
With 14 working days remaining until the session ends, opposition parties have scheduled a meeting on Monday to devise a strategy for the coming week. Senior leaders have indicated that they are unlikely to back down from their demand for Pradhan’s removal, even as the government prepares to introduce legislation against leaking of exam papers.
Read also: “Criminal Education Minister”: Rahul Gandhi intensifies his attack on Dharmendra Pradhan
Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharg posted on X on Friday: “Before you come to Parliament today, come after the sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathes, batons and pellet guns to suppress students’ voices. Then we are ready to have a detailed discussion on the education system.”
Kharge was responding to a video message sent on Thursday by the Prime Minister, who announced a new draft law to address paper leaks.
The government is seeking support for the anti-paper leakage bill
The Union government on Friday said it had reached out to the Opposition to end the impasse over a proposed discussion on paper leaks. The government sought opposition support to pass the bill, which includes provisions for harsher penalties and harsher penalties for paper leaks and related offences.
“We will table the bill on Monday in Lok Sabha. We expect the opposition to help us pass the bill which is designed to address the concerns of students. They have been protesting for reforms, so let them come together on this issue,” a senior BJP legislator said.
Read also: Lok Sabha session postponed until Monday as opposition continues protests over paper leaks
Rijiju urges the opposition to allow legislative work
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government’s efforts to break the parliamentary deadlock are still ongoing. “I spoke to the leaders of the room and ask them to agree to take up the legislative work. They wanted a discussion about the paper leaks but they did not allow that to happen…” he said.
As the Opposition hardened its stance, the government’s efforts to initiate discussion on the Vande Mataram Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Friday failed. Opposition members refused to allow legislative work before Pradhan’s resignation. “We have seen their stand on Vande Mataram that no one should object to it. We expect that they will make a fuss on Monday as well, which is why the government wants to bring up the bill as soon as the House convenes…” the BJP legislator said in the first place.
Also read: ‘Read Vande Mataram without a teleprompter’: Sanjay Raut takes on PM Modi and Amit Shah
Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharg posted on X on Friday: “Before you come to Parliament today, come after the sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathes, batons and pellet guns to suppress students’ voices. Then we are ready to have a detailed discussion on the education system.”
Kharge was responding to a video message sent by the Prime Minister on Thursday, who announced a new draft law to address paper leaks.
Rahul Gandhi reiterates the opposition’s three demands
Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi also stressed that Pradhan’s resignation, police accountability and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology are non-negotiable conditions for resumption of normal business.
Also Read: PM Modi ‘thanks his friends’ in Instagram video after paper selfie video leaked
Responding to Rijiju’s statement, Gandhi said: “Now, Minister Rijiju has made a statement that he wants to tell our MPs that there should be a discussion. The normal protocol is that if someone mentions someone else’s name, it will be answered. When I wanted to respond, my microphone was taken away. I did not have the opportunity. But I would like to state clearly the position of the Opposition – the students have three demands: 1) The corrupt Education Minister must go, 2) Action should be taken against those who attacked and beat up students, 3) The Prime Minister must apologize to the students, and these are the three conditions under which we will not have any conversation, any discussion before Pradhan is removed.
