DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

Parliamentary Stalemate Continues Over Education Minister's Resignation Demand

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • India's Parliament remains deadlocked as the opposition insists on the education minister's resignation over alleged exam paper leaks.
  • The monsoon session's first week was disrupted, with no immediate resolution in sight.
  • The government plans to introduce a bill against paper leaks, seeking opposition support, while the opposition demands accountability and action against those who suppressed student protests.

New Delhi – The monsoon session of India's Parliament has stalled for its entire first week, with opposition parties steadfastly demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The deadlock shows no signs of breaking, leaving legislative business in limbo.

Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, have linked the demand for Pradhan's removal to alleged exam paper leaks. Kharge stated on X on Friday, "Before coming to Parliament today, come after dismissing Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathis, batons, and Pellet Guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed Discussion on the education system."

Before coming to Parliament today, come after dismissing Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathis, batons, and Pellet Guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed Discussion on the education system.

— Mallikarjun KhargeCongress president outlining the opposition's conditions for resuming parliamentary discussions.

The government, meanwhile, is pushing to introduce a new bill aimed at tackling examination paper leaks. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has been engaging with floor leaders, urging them to allow legislative work. A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker indicated the government intends to table the bill on Monday in the Lok Sabha, expecting opposition cooperation to pass legislation designed to address student concerns.

However, the opposition remains firm. They have scheduled a meeting to strategize for the upcoming week, with senior leaders indicating no intention to relent on their demand for Pradhan's dismissal. This hardened stance has already prevented the government from initiating discussions on other legislative matters, such as the Vande Mataram Bill, in the Rajya Sabha.

I have been speaking to the floor leaders and requesting them to agree to taking up legislative work. They wanted a discussion on the paper leaks but have not let that happen…

— Kiren RijijuParliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on the ongoing efforts to break the parliamentary logjam.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog