Opposition demands Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over 3-language policy issue

The Opposition charged the Modi government in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with trying to divide the country on the three-language policy issue and demanded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his remarks that those protesting on this issue were "uncivilised". The continuous protest in the first hour led to an adjournment after a few minutes.

When the House met for the day on Tuesday, Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced that he has received notices under Rule 267 to suspend listed business and discuss the delimitation, multiple EPICs issued to some individuals, and the three-language issue but was not accepting them.

The Opposition members protested, shouting slogans asking for Pradhan's resignation.


Later, leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said, "If you talk about hurting the sentiments of one part of the country, the people of that part, if you call them uncultured and uncivilised" then you take the resignation from the minister. The Modi government is talking about dividing the country, of breaking it." However, Kharge's remarks after that faced objection from the government, leading to him expressing regret.

"... I request you (Deputy Chairman) with folded hands to allow me (to speak)... 'aapko kya kya thokna hai thik se thokenge, sarkar ko bhi thokenge...," Kharge said. Leader of the House JP Nadda sought an apology from Kharge Kharge then apologised to the Chair, saying his words were not aimed at the Deputy Chairman but that his party will slam the government's policies.