"If govt wanted debate, it would have happened on day one": Mallikarjun Kharge questions Govt stand on NEET debate

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday strongly refuted Union Minister Kiren Rijijus allegation that the Opposition was fleeing from a discussion on exam paper leaks stating that if the government had truly wanted a debate it would have allowed one when the Opposition first demanded itSpeaking to reporters Kharge also launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioning his intentions on the issue and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra PradhanIf they were ready for a discussion it would have started on the first day we demanded it Why were they not ready Later you lathicharged the students We are Members of Parliament but the people from the ruling party themselves blocked the door today They should be ashamed Until he Dharmendra Pradhan resigns this will not work Why was the PM silent until now If anyone is responsible for creating this situation today it is the PM He has openly asked his MPs to counter the students agitation The PMs intentions are not righthe has never spoken on key issues Kharge saidHe further added We wanted a discussion under Rule 267 But they govt did not agree to it They insulted Rahul ji Priyanka ji and others We will be ready for any discussion only after the resignation of the Education MinisterJoining the attack Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge criticised the Centres refusal to replace the Education Minister questioning why the government was prioritising one minister over the future of millions of studentsEven now if the government does not understand the sentiments of the students it is very unfortunate Why is Mr Dharmendra Pradhan so important to the Government of India What secrets is he carrying for the Prime Minister the Home Minister or the Cabinet Is he so indispensable that the government cannot remove one minister responsible while crores of students are suffering I dont understand this Priyank Kharge saidHe further targeted the Prime Minister over his student outreach programs alleging a lack of genuine dialogueThe Prime Minister conducts Mann Ki Baat and Pariksha Pe Charcha but has no time to actually talk to the students He wants to build Amrit Kaal and a Viksit Bharat without the students What is happening in Delhi is extremely unfortunate he saidMillions of families send their children to school expecting a fair education system Is it wrong to ask for improvements in the education system In the last 10 years 152 examination papers have been leaked Who is responsible for this No one is being held accountable If that is the case why is the minister still continuing in office Isnt the government prepared to remove him he addedEarlier Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of fleeing from a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue stating that INDIA bloc leaders began imposing conditions despite initially agreeing to a debate in ParliamentSpeaking to reporters Rijiju pointed out that he had reached out to Opposition members across party lines to facilitate a structured debate However he claimed that as time progressed the Opposition began offering excuses to stall proceedingsToday we hoped to initiate a debate on the NEET exam paper leak Yesterday we held talks with several leaders from opposition parties as well as leaders across party lines and everyone agreed on finding a way forward However as time progressed they began imposing conditions again and making various excuses Still by evening we were hopeful of finding a resolution through discussions with the Congress and other Opposition colleagues especially since the Prime Minister made it abundantly clear today that complete measures are being taken to safeguard the lives and security of students and youth and that no laxity or compromise will be tolerated Rijiju saidThe statements follow high drama inside the Parliament premises earlier in the day where a direct faceoff broke out between NDA and INDIA bloc MPs at Makar DwarWhile Opposition members protested against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy NDA parliamentarians demonstrated against the Oppositions stance accusing them of blocking debate and spreading misinformationTensions flared when CPIM MP John Brittas was seen pulling a poster from the hands of BJP leader Arun Singh With MPs from both camps standing facetoface Parliament security personnel formed a human chain to keep the two groups apart Slogans were also exchanged between Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP leaders during the confrontationSpeaking on the clash BJP MP Sambit Patra accused the Congress of evading debate citing ongoing dialogues between senior BJP leaders student groups and activist Sonam Wangchuk over the past three daysThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves 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