New Delhi [India], July 23 : Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on Thursday accused the government of avoiding a discussion on the issue of alleged examination irregularities and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Reacting to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's statement, Shukla said the Opposition had been demanding a discussion on the matter and Pradhan's resignation since the beginning.
"The Opposition isn't shying away from the debate. The Opposition has been saying very clearly from day one that you should get the Education Minister to resign and hold a discussion on the matter. The government is running away from that. I don't know why they aren't forcing the resignation," Shukla said.
He claimed that people had taken to the streets and alleged that prominent personalities were also demanding Pradhan's removal.
"People have taken to the streets. Millions of people are upset. Big film stars and prominent figures are demanding that you remove him, but you're not removing him. You're stubborn," he said.
Shukla further questioned how a discussion could take place if the Education Minister was not present to respond to the Opposition's concerns.
"Discussion will only happen when someone answers your words. You'll call the Education Minister to answer. Then who will listen to that answer?" he said.
The Congress MP also accused the BJP of creating disruptions both inside and outside Parliament.
"BJP MPs are standing in Parliament and protesting against the Opposition. They're clashing and fighting with the Opposition. Outside, you're instigating a fight on the steps of Parliament. Inside, you're not allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak, and then you're telling them to talk, to call in their problems," Shukla said.
"It's not acceptable to say one thing inside and do something else outside," he added.
Meanwhile, Congress MP KC Venugopal in a statement claimed that "Opposition MPs are unitedly fighting together, protesting for the youth of our country."
In a post on X, he said, "The BJP is completely rattled and is resorting to bluff and bluster to salvage its image. On our part, there is no question of going back on our core demands, starting with Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation."
Earlier in the day, 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 Parliament.
Speaking 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 proceedings.