politics

Rajya Sabha Stalemate: Government Ready for Debate, Opposition Insists on Minister's Resignation

Published on: 22 Jul 2026, 11:08 PM

The Rajya Sabha witnessed continued deadlock for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, as the Opposition demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion on the NEET paper leak issue can take place. The Opposition also protested against the police action on student demonstrators on Monday.

When the House convened, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise the issue of the police using batons and tear gas against student protesters marching from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. Wearing a black armband, Kharge expressed 'immense pain' over the incident. However, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, facing objections from treasury benches, adjourned the House until noon.

At noon, Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged members to allow Zero Hour discussions, but his appeals were ignored, leading to an adjournment until 2 PM. When the House reconvened, the Opposition continued to demand the Minister's resignation.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government has taken steps regarding the NEET paper leak and is ready for a discussion but will not accept preconditions. Leader of the House J P Nadda criticized the Opposition's behaviour as 'irresponsible' and 'anti-democratic'.

Kharge reiterated his demand for a discussion under Rule 267, but only after Pradhan's resignation, claiming an unbiased discussion is not possible otherwise. Amid sloganeering, the House was adjourned several times, finally until 11 AM on Thursday.

Several Opposition MPs have given notice under Rule 267 to suspend ordinary business and discuss the NEET issue. DMK MP P Wilson also moved a resolution to abolish NEET. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticized the government for refusing a discussion under Rule 267, also highlighting the alleged manhandling of opposition leaders by police on July 21.

The proceedings began with members observing silence for 20 workers killed in a tunnel accident in Sikkim. Chairman Radhakrishnan also congratulated the Prime Minister and Railway Minister on the launch of India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train.

Source: Indian Express

Latest in Politics 10

politics

105 US Lawmakers Ask FBI to Examine Hindu Temple Shooting Plot as Hate Crime

A group of 105 US lawmakers has asked the FBI to examine an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, as a potential federal hate crime. The suspect, 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, was arrested after prosecutors say his rifle failed to fire; he has been charged with making a terrorist threat and weapons offences. The lawmakers also sought details on online threats against South Asian communities.

NDTV 21 Oct 2026, 05:03 AM

politics

Never Felt So Saddened: Amit Shah on Punjab Drug Victims' Families; AAP Minister Hits Back

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the families of people who died in incidents linked to Punjab's drug menace during a day-long visit to Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa, saying he had never felt so saddened. He attacked the AAP government over its record and asked it to hand two more cases to the CBI. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema hit back, asking what the Centre had done about supply chains beyond the state's borders.

NDTV 21 Oct 2026, 03:13 AM

politics

Shah Meets Families of Anti-Drug Activists in Punjab; Mann Questions His Intentions

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab on October 20, 2026, meeting families of anti-drug activists who lost their lives, hours after the State government ordered a CBI probe into the Mansa murder of Parminder Singh Jhota. Mr. Shah accused the AAP government of failing to curb the drug trade and sought CBI inquiries into two more cases, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann questioned the BJP's own record between 2007 and 2017.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:39 PM

politics

Kharge to Raise SIR, Delimitation and Women's Reservation Concerns With PM Modi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the proposed delimitation exercise and the delay in implementing women's reservation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 21. Kharge, who has already written to the Prime Minister on the issues, said he would seek clarity on the women's reservation timeline. He also called for a grand Dasara celebration in the Kalyana Karnataka region from next year.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:45 PM

politics

Bhagwat cautions against protest politics, says agitation alone cannot solve problems

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his Vijayadasami address, said agitation alone does not solve problems and warned that politically driven protests can divide society and be exploited by external forces. He urged protesters to stay within constitutional and legal limits and made a case for dialogue, as protests continue over the revision of electoral rolls.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:48 PM

politics

Samajwadi Party to Release 'Jan-Man Manifesto' on Constitution Day Ahead of 2027 UP Polls

The Samajwadi Party will release its manifesto for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on November 26, 2026, observed as Constitution Day. The document, titled "Jan-Man Manifesto", is expected to focus on women, backward classes, Scheduled Castes and minorities, with separate papers on women, youth and law and order to follow. The party says region-specific manifestos will be released in the weeks after.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:51 PM

politics

JNU hunger strike: MP John Brittas asks President Murmu to step in as protest enters day 17

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to President Droupadi Murmu and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi seeking intervention in the JNU students' indefinite hunger strike, which entered its 17th day on Monday. He has called for the revocation of rustication orders against elected JNUSU representatives, the withdrawal of certain provisions of the Chief Proctor's Office Manual, and the early resolution of students' grievances, citing the deteriorating health of the protesters.

The Hindu 19 Oct 2026, 01:15 PM

politics

Ram temple donation theft: Congress demands Supreme Court-monitored probe, targets BJP

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple, questioning the clean chit given to trust office-bearers and the absence of a CBI or ED inquiry. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of maintaining silence on the case, while demanding that the full accounting of offerings be made public.

The Hindu 19 Oct 2026, 01:49 PM

politics

Amit Shah to visit Punjab on October 20 amid drug deaths, political row

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Punjab on October 20, BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has announced. Party sources said Shah may visit Mansa and Sangrur to meet families of two men who died in incidents linked to the State’s drug problem. The visit follows Shah’s Jalandhar rally and comes as the BJP presses the drug issue ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 01:37 PM

politics

Speaker to Decide Disqualification Petitions Against Four Former AIADMK MLAs in Two Months

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has assured that he will decide on the disqualification petitions against four former AIADMK MLAs within two months, as directed by the Madras High Court. The court recently upheld the Speaker's acceptance of the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who later joined the ruling TVK. The Speaker said most of the inquiry work is complete and the remaining process will proceed now that the by-election is over.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 03:42 AM

→ View All Politics News