For the second consecutive day, the Rajya Sabha witnessed a fiery exchange between Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The heated debate centred on the contentious issue of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Kharge initiated the confrontation by alleging that over 70 NEET exam papers had been leaked in the past seven years. He accused the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of remaining silent and failing to take action.
Additionally, Kharge criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming it had infiltrated key educational positions, including university vice-chancellors, professors, and other educational bodies like NCERT.
Vice President Dhankhar quickly retorted, defending the RSS and questioning if being part of the organisation was a crime. He emphasised that the RSS is dedicated to national development and praised its members for their contributions to the country’s progress.
Disruptions in the Session
The session was marked by several disruptions. Kharge’s remarks on the RSS and the appointment of its members prompted criticism from Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who asked, “Is it a crime to be part of an organisation?”
He added, “Is being a member of RSS crime? RSS is an organisation working for the nation. The world’s most eligible individuals can be found here How can they be communal?”
Is being a member of RSS crime?
RSS is an organisation working for the nation
The world’s most eligible individuals can be found here
How can they be communal?
– Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/GD7PU3aXj2
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 1, 2024
Kharge also criticised the President’s address, stating, “This year the President’s first address was in January and the second was in June. The first address was for elections and the second was also the same. There was neither vision nor direction in the President’s address.”
This confrontation follows a heated argument two days prior, where Kharge stepped into the Well of the House to draw Dhankhar’s attention—a move Dhankhar later dismissed as untrue. Additionally, Kharge’s media team alleged that the microphones of both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, were deliberately turned off during Parliament proceedings.
Criticism of the Government
During today’s session, which included a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Kharge criticised the speech for attempting to obscure the government’s failures. He accused Prime Minister Modi of employing divisive rhetoric during elections, a tactic he claimed no other prime minister had used before. Kharge also condemned Modi for linking the Congress party’s 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto with religion, arguing that the electorate had decisively rejected such tactics.
Opposition Demand for NEET Discussion
A significant ruckus ensued in the Rajya Sabha on Friday (June 28) as the opposition demanded a discussion on alleged irregularities in the NEET examination while the House took up the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his anger over opposition MPs, including Kharge, entering the Well of the House.
“Today is such a tainted day in the history of the Indian Parliament that the Leader of the Opposition himself has come to the Well. This has never happened before. I am pained and shocked. The Indian parliamentary tradition will deteriorate to such an extent that the Leader of the Opposition will come to the Well, the Deputy Leader will come to the Well,” Vice President Dhankhar told the House.
“The deputy leader of the party Pramod Tiwari also walked in, and senior leader Mukul Wasnik also walked in. It was a very painful moment for me. We expect the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the House to exemplify conduct that is worth emulating,” he added.
Responding to the Vice President’s remarks, Kharge stated, “It is his (Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s) mistake…I went inside to draw his attention. But even then he was not looking… I was drawing attention. He was only looking at the ruling party. When I draw his attention as per the rules, he should look at me, but instead, he deliberately ignored me to insult me.”
Kharge continued, “So what was left for me? To draw attention, I would have to either go inside or shout very loudly. So I will definitely say that it is Chairman Sahab’s mistake. I say that he should not do this and should maintain the dignity of this Rajya Sabha.”
This incident has highlighted the deep divisions and tensions within the Rajya Sabha, reflecting the broader political climate in India. The clash over NEET and the accusations of infiltration by the RSS have only intensified the ongoing political battle between the ruling NDA government and the opposition.
