Narendra Modi Government 3.0 Faces Rejuvenated Opposition as New Lok Sabha Session Begins

News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/24th June 2024

The Narendra Modi government, now in its third term, is set to confront a reinvigorated Opposition as the first session of the new Lok Sabha kicks off this week. The initial day, Monday, will primarily see newly elected MPs taking their oaths. However, the real parliamentary action is scheduled for Wednesday with the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker, followed by an anticipated debate over the recent postponement and cancellation of several key entrance exams due to alleged irregularities.

One of the central points of contention is the series of protests regarding the conduct of NEET-UG 2024 and the cancellation of UGC-NET 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been the focal point of criticism, which led to the government replacing its chief. The eleventh-hour postponement of the NEET-PG exam has particularly fueled discontent among medical aspirants, intensifying the Opposition’s strategy to challenge the government in Parliament.

Top government officials have indicated their readiness to address all concerns and present the facts transparently. “We are prepared to answer all questions and lay out all the facts for the public to see. There is nothing to hide. Whether we speak on the Parliament floor depends on the chair’s permission and decision,” a senior official told a news agency.

Highlighting the significance of the issue, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan canceled his visit to Delhi University for an International Yoga Day event on June 21. This move underscores the government’s prioritization of addressing the examination controversy.

In response to the growing unrest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi released a video message, pledging to support the students “from the streets to the Parliament.” The CPI(M) Politburo has also called for Pradhan’s resignation over what it described as “sinister developments,” holding the entire government accountable for the situation.

Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), criticized the last-minute postponement of NEET-PG 2024 as a significant failure of the central government. DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin labeled it a “scam,” and other parties like Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, and Aam Aadmi Party have convened to discuss their strategies.

The BJP is reportedly preparing a three-pronged strategy to counter the Opposition in the Lok Sabha: Acknowledgement, Accountability, and Attack. A senior parliamentarian stated, “The Centre does not want to appear insensitive. We understand the stakes for the young minds involved. After the Speaker’s election and the President’s address, we will address the issue comprehensively.”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is expected to reiterate his earlier statements about the compromised integrity of the exams. A Rajya Sabha MP pointed out the BJP’s proactive stance on similar issues in Rajasthan, emphasizing that the Centre will acknowledge the problem and take decisive action.

The government’s decision to remove Subodh Kumar Singh as the head of the NTA and replace him with Pradeep Singh Karola reflects its commitment to accountability. Karola’s immediate task is to reschedule the canceled and postponed exams.

Additionally, the government has handed over the investigation of alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam to the CBI, which is also probing the UGC-NET exam leaks. A senior BJP MP stated, “The government has acknowledged the issue and taken definitive actions. The CBI is already investigating, and we aim to bring the culprits to justice quickly.”

The newly notified Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, underscores the government’s focus on preventing paper leaks and ensuring examination integrity. This stringent law includes severe penalties for those found guilty of leaking exam papers or tampering with answer sheets.

The government has also established a high-level committee to review the functioning and propose reforms for the NTA, with a report expected by the end of August. This proactive stance demonstrates the government’s commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring the welfare of students.