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New Delhi witnessed high drama in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks during a debate on the New Education Policy (NEP) led to a heated uproar. The second leg of the Budget session turned tense as opposition and ruling party leaders clashed over Kharge’s statement, which he later clarified was aimed at the BJP and not the Chair.
What Led to the Controversy?
- The Rajya Sabha was discussing the working of the Education Ministry, where opposition leaders criticized Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his recent remarks about the Tamil Nadu government’s stance on NEP.
- Pradhan had accused Tamil Nadu’s DMK government of "ruining the future of students", triggering backlash from DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.
- On Tuesday, as Congress leader Digvijay Singh was called to speak, DMK MPs, dressed in black, demanded an apology from Pradhan over his comments.
Kharge’s Remarks & the Uproar
During the discussion, Mallikarjun Kharge stood up to intervene and made a remark that triggered a strong reaction from the treasury benches:
Kharge called the situation "a dictatorship," criticizing the government’s stance on education policies.
He used a Hindi phrase implying the opposition would retaliate against the ruling government’s actions.
BJP leaders objected immediately, arguing that Kharge’s language was “unparliamentary” and disrespectful to the Chair.
Leader of the House JP Nadda condemned the remarks, calling them "unpardonable" and demanding an apology.
Kharge’s Apology & Aftermath
As the ruckus escalated, Kharge quickly clarified his intent, stating that his words were aimed at the BJP’s policies, not the Rajya Sabha Chair.
Kharge's Apology: "I am sorry, I was not speaking about you, it was about government policies. If you were hurt by my remarks, I apologise to you."
Following his apology, JP Nadda acknowledged it but maintained that the language used was still "condemnable", regardless of the target.
The Bigger Picture: NEP & Political Tensions
The language row over NEP has become a major flashpoint between the ruling BJP and opposition parties like Congress and DMK. The DMK government has strongly opposed the NEP, citing concerns over regional language suppression and education centralization.
With the Budget session ongoing, further clashes between the government and opposition on education, policies, and governance are expected in the coming days.
