Following his resignation from the post of Education Minister last week, Dharmendra Pradhan arrived at the Parliament House today, Monday, for the first time. His arrival was marked by a significant show of support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members. As he reached the Makar Dwar of the Parliament building, a large group of NDA MPs gathered to give him a resounding welcome. The atmosphere was charged with political fervor as BJP MPs raised slogans in his support, chanting Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad repeatedly, while this appearance marks the first time Pradhan has been seen in public since stepping down from his ministerial role.
High Drama at Makar Dwar Amid Protests
The scene at Makar Dwar was one of stark political contrast. While the ruling alliance was busy welcoming Dharmendra Pradhan, the opposition was simultaneously holding a vigorous protest at the same location. Several opposition MPs, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were seen demonstrating against the government. The primary demand of the protesting members was the accountability of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding an incident that occurred on 20 July. This incident took place during a student protest led by the CJP at Jantar Mantar. The opposition is seeking answers and responsibility from the Home Ministry for the events of that day.
Priyanka Gandhi Questions FIRs Against Students
During the protest, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed the media regarding the ongoing situation. When asked about the demand for an apology from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to the students, she raised concerns about the legal actions being taken against the youth. She stated, "I've heard that FIRs are still being registered against students in Bihar and Bengal. " Her comments highlighted the opposition's stance on the treatment of students involved in recent movements.
Legislative Updates and Parliament Adjournment
The parliamentary proceedings today were also expected to focus on significant legislative business. A bill to amend the Paper Leak law was scheduled to be introduced in the Lok Sabha around 12 PM. However, the functioning of both houses was severely impacted by the opposition's uproar, while when the proceedings began at 11 AM, the ruckus created by opposition members prevented any smooth discussion. Consequently, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned until 12 PM. The introduction of the Paper Leak Amendment Bill remains a key point of interest for the day's agenda.
Background of the Resignation and CJP Movement
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation came last week on Saturday, following intense protests by students, while his departure from the Ministry of Education led to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ending its movement. Shortly after the resignation was announced, a third round of meetings took place between representatives of the Central Government and a delegation from the Cockroach Janta Party. During this meeting, an agreement was reached to call off the agitation. Pradhan had announced his resignation on the social media platform X, stating that he took the step to ensure that anti-national forces don't exploit the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country. He emphasized the need for national unity and expressed his desire that students shouldn't get entangled in legal complexities but instead focus on their studies and careers.
Political Reactions to the Resignation
The resignation has drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. The Congress and other major opposition parties have hailed the move as a victory for the youth. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was particularly critical, stating that Pradhan was a symbol of corruption and the destruction of the education system. He remarked that it was good that Pradhan had resigned. On the other hand, veteran BJP leader and former Education Minister Murli Manohar Joshi congratulated the students on the peaceful conclusion of their movement. Commenting on the resignation, he used the phrase "Der aaye durust aaye" (Better late than never), acknowledging the eventual outcome of the student-led protests.