Parliament erupts as DMK protests Centre’s three-language policy
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New Delhi: The second leg of the Budget Session began on a stormy note in Parliament on Monday, with heated exchanges between the Centre and the Opposition over the three-language policy. The Lok Sabha erupted in chaos as Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs fiercely opposed what they called the Centre’s attempt to “bulldoze” the policy in southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu.
The uproar intensified when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, for refusing to implement central policies. He accused the state government of jeopardizing students’ futures for political gains.
“They are ruining the future of Tamil Nadu students. They are doing politics over students’ future and misleading the people for their narrow political gains,” Pradhan said.
His remarks triggered loud protests from DMK lawmakers, who raised slogans against the Centre’s three-language policy, leading to further disorder. As tensions escalated, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until noon.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition staged a walkout after Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda criticized them for disrupting Parliamentary proceedings. Opposition members had sought a discussion under Rule 267, but Nadda rebuked them, asserting that they needed a “refresher course” on Parliamentary rules and negotiations.
BJP MP Rekha Sharma also lashed out at the Opposition, accusing them of consistently obstructing the House.
With the second phase of the Budget Session underway, frequent clashes between the government and the Opposition are expected. The government is focused on clearing the Waqf Amendment Bill and securing approval for budgetary allocations, while the Opposition has lined up several contentious issues to challenge the ruling party.
Key matters on the Opposition’s agenda include the language dispute, the delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, concerns over EPIC numbers, and renewed violence in Manipur. With multiple issues at play, the session is set for intense debates and confrontations between the two sides.
With IANS inputs