Calls for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation intensify as ‘istifa, istifa’ echoes in Lok Sabha; Lost First Week of Monsoon Session | Today’s news

As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues its protests against Jantar Mantar, their calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also resonated in Parliament on Friday as opposition MPs kept raising slogans of ‘istifa istifa’ in the Lok Sabha presided over by Jagdambika Pal.

Following the continued upheaval within the House, Pal decided to adjourn the Lok Sabha till 11:00 AM on Monday, thus ending the first week of functioning of the Lower House during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Opposition representatives also rushed to the Well of the House of Representatives, despite the chairman’s call for the day’s events to continue.

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Calls for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation stem from protests citing irregularities related to the NEET exam, where claims of a paper leak have fueled unrest between students and opposition parties.

Dharmendra Pradhan initially denied any paper leak, but later took “moral responsibility” for the irregularities, assured an investigation was underway and stressed the government’s commitment to discuss the matter in Parliament.

The Lok Sabha faced disruption, with opposition MPs raising slogans for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, leading to several adjournments during the monsoon session, including a major disruption in the first week of the session.

The protesting students are demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for the affected families and accountability for those involved in the alleged paper leaks and related misconduct.

The government is considering setting up fast-track courts and tougher laws to deal with paper leaks, as announced by Prime Minister Modi, in response to growing public and student dissatisfaction over the handling of irregularities in the NEET exams.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the opposition that the government is ready to debate the NEET paper leak issue but should not put any conditions on it.

Read also | When Dharmendra Pradhan denied paper leak but later took “moral responsibility”

Addressing the House amid protests, Rijiju said, “I have once again asked KC Venugopal ji today as we are all of the opinion that there should be a discussion on NEET. The Prime Minister has assured the nation. Sonam Wangchuk broke his hunger strike and asked for a discussion. If we do not hold a discussion, it will not send the right message to the country.”

“Prime Minister Modi has assured that a strict law will come on the exam paper leak. We have a cabinet meeting at 1 pm where we will also decide on a strict law,” Rijiju also said, referring to a video message shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

However, the Prime Minister did not mention anything about the sacking of Pradhan in his video.

Rijiju also challenged Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi: “I appeal to Rahul Gandhi to explain this to your MPs. I don’t see why we can’t have a good discussion on this on the 5th day of Parliament. Don’t give a condition,” referring to opposition MPs’ demands for Pradhan’s resignation.

When slogans of ‘Istifa’ took over the House, Pal decided to adjourn the proceedings for the day. The monsoon session of Parliament began on Monday, July 20, and proceedings were repeatedly adjourned amid protests and demands for Pradhan’s resignation.

Rahul Gandhi says his microphone was shut

Rahul Gandhi also did not get an opportunity to speak on Friday. Standing up, Pal said the LoP would be given time after ministers tabled parliamentary papers, but the House had to be adjourned for a day before he could speak.

However, Gandhi spoke to the media at the Parliament House complex where he claimed his microphone was off.

“(Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren) Rijiju ji made a statement in the Lok Sabha asking Congress MPs to start a debate. Whenever someone is named, it is normal to ask the person to respond. But when I got up to respond to Rijiju, I was not allowed to speak and my microphone was shut,” Gandhi said, according to PTI.

Read also | When ministers took charge: India’s most remarkable moral resignation

“I wanted to clearly present the opposition’s position. The students have three demands – the corrupt education minister Dharmendra Pradhan must go, those who beat up the students must face prosecution and the Prime Minister should apologize to the students.”

“These are the three conditions. Until Mr. Pradhan is fired, we will have no conversation, no discussion,” Gandhi added.

Notably, it could not be completed in any of the first five days of the monsoon session so far. The session ends on August 13.