Lawmakers from Tamil Nadu staged a protest outside Parliament on Tuesday, demanding the removal of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an apology over his remarks against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members in the Lok Sabha. The protest follows a breach of privilege notice filed by DMK lawmaker Kanimozhi against Pradhan for allegedly making “highly malicious, misleading, and defamatory remarks.”
Opposition Walkout and Demands for Apology
The controversy erupted on Monday when Pradhan made remarks that were perceived as derogatory toward DMK members during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Opposition lawmakers, including DMK and Trinamool Congress members, walked out in protest. Rajya Sabha lawmaker Vaiko demanded Pradhan’s removal, stating that the remarks had “wounded their hearts” and calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against him.
Kanimozhi, a prominent DMK leader, also called on the central government to release Tamil Nadu’s withheld funds, emphasizing that Pradhan should apologize. She accused the minister of using words such as “misled,” “dishonest,” “undemocratic,” and “uncivilized” to describe her and her party colleagues.
Lok Sabha Speaker’s Intervention
Following the uproar, the Lok Sabha Speaker ordered the removal of an objectionable word used by Pradhan. The Union minister later withdrew his comments, stating that he should not have made them. However, the damage had already been done, with DMK members continuing to demand an official apology.
The NEP Controversy and Funding Dispute
The dispute between Pradhan and Tamil Nadu lawmakers stems from the state government’s refusal to implement the New Education Policy (NEP). During the debate, Pradhan accused DMK of “doublespeak” and claimed the party had reneged on its decision to implement the centrally sponsored PM SHRI scheme for government schools. He further alleged that the DMK was “ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students” by focusing on language concerns rather than education reforms.
A key point of contention is the withholding of ₹2,152 crore in funding under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which the DMK government alleges is an attempt by the Union government to impose the NEP and the three-language policy, seen as a move to promote Hindi.
Political Repercussions
The political battle over Pradhan’s remarks and the broader debate on NEP and school funding has intensified tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and the central government. With opposition parties rallying behind DMK’s demands, the issue is likely to remain a focal point in upcoming parliamentary sessions.
While Pradhan has withdrawn his controversial comments, the DMK and its allies continue to push for a formal apology and a resolution to the funding dispute, ensuring that this issue will remain in the political spotlight in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
