Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar on Thursday as opposition MPs demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as soon as proceedings began, with opposition members rushing into the well of the Lok Sabha and raising slogans.
Speaker Urges Dialogue, Opposition Continues Protest
As the disruption continued unabated, Speaker Om Birla made it clear that Question Hour would proceed as scheduled, requesting that leaders from both the treasury and opposition benches meet after Question Hour to discuss the matter and reach consensus on the rule under which discussion could take place. However, opposition MPs did not heed his request. Following the continued disruption, Birla adjourned proceedings until 12 noon. The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar disruptions throughout the day.
Rijiju Calls for Discussion Without Preconditions
Amid the chaos, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the opposition to let the House function, stating that the government was ready for discussion under the rules. He said the NEET examination issue should not be politicised and that it deserved a thorough discussion in both Houses, reminding members that PM Modi had already spoken about taking strict action on the matter and had mentioned pursuing a fast-track judicial process. Rijiju said the government wanted the discussion to happen but urged the opposition not to attach any preconditions to it.
Kharge Insists on Pradhan’s Resignation Before Talks
Dismissing Rijiju’s appeal, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge insisted that the Education Minister must resign before any discussion could take place. Congress president Kharge further alleged that a recent statement made by PM Modi was instigative, asserting that the party wanted to discuss the matter in the House but claimed the government was avoiding the debate altogether.
