Aapko Thokenge! Uproar in Rajya Sabha Over Kharge’s Unparliamentary Remark

The Rajya Sabha descended into chaos on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, following an unparliamentary remark by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge during a discussion on the Education Ministry’s functioning. The incident occurred shortly after Question Hour, as the Upper House debated the National Education Policy (NEP) and related issues, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s criticism of the Tamil Nadu government’s stance on the three-language policy.

The uproar began when Kharge, the Congress president, intervened amid protests by DMK MPs—dressed in black to oppose delimitation and NEP—demanding an apology from Pradhan for his remarks on Monday, where he accused the Tamil Nadu government of jeopardizing students’ futures and labeled it “dishonest” and “uncivilised.” As Deputy Chairman Harivansh called Congress MP Digvijay Singh to speak, Kharge stood up, alleging the government was fostering a “dictatorship” and attempting to “create a regional divide.” In his remarks, he used a Hindi expression implying the opposition would “hit back” at the government, which the treasury benches deemed unparliamentary.

Leader of the House JP Nadda condemned Kharge’s language, calling it “unpardonable” and an insult to the Chair, demanding an apology and expunction of the remark. Kharge promptly apologised, clarifying that his words targeted government policies, not the Chair. “I am sorry if you were hurt by my remarks. It was about the government, not you,” he told Harivansh, adding that the minister’s divisive rhetoric warranted resignation.

The treasury benches persisted, with Nadda appreciating Kharge’s apology but insisting the remark remained condemnable. Amid the tumult, Digvijay Singh eventually initiated the scheduled debate. The incident underscored tensions over NEP and regional policies, with opposition MPs accusing the government of stifling dissent, while the ruling side defended parliamentary decorum. Proceedings continued after the brief disruption.