Priyanka Gandhi Criticizes Warm Welcome for Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament
New Delhi, July 28: The political atmosphere heated up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament when former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received a rousing welcome from BJP and NDA MPs upon his arrival. The Congress party responded sharply, accusing the government of suppressing student issues and sending political messages. The opposition also cornered the government over disruptions in parliamentary proceedings, paper leaks, and the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan‘ meeting.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her disapproval of the welcome, stating that given the circumstances under which Pradhan resigned, such a reception is highly embarrassing. She remarked that it seemed as if a superstar had entered Parliament.
Priyanka Gandhi further alleged that the government cannot be trusted, as it continues to take action against students and attempts to suppress them. She pointed out that some Instagram handles have been posting pictures of female students, making claims against them. If the government genuinely wishes to resolve issues through dialogue, it should take positive steps instead of harassing and targeting students.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari questioned the legality and constitutionality of the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting. He noted that courts have previously interpreted the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, clarifying that only mergers of political parties are valid, not defections. He accused the government of ignoring constitutional values.
With continuous disruptions in Parliament, Congress MP Mallu Ravi also raised concerns about the roles of the government and the Lok Sabha Speaker. He stated that it is the responsibility of the government, Speaker, and Treasury benches to ensure smooth proceedings, not the opposition. The government is attempting to portray the opposition as obstructing proceedings, while the reality is that the House is not functioning effectively.
In the meantime, regarding the proposed paper leak bill, Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh mentioned that all opposition parties are united in discussing the issue and will make a collective decision. He emphasized that the biggest question lies in the government’s intentions. According to him, the Radhakrishnan Committee, formed after the 2024 NEET paper leak case, made several important recommendations, but the government has not fully implemented them.
Ujjwal Raman Singh asserted that merely enacting laws is insufficient; effective implementation is also crucial. He noted that a charge sheet was not filed within the stipulated 90 days following the 2024 NEET paper leak case, and the alleged mastermind is out on bail. As a result, students’ trust in the government has weakened.
He clarified that all opposition parties, including Congress, will make their final decision on the paper leak bill after assessing the government’s stance.
