Kharge’s ‘Unparliamentary’ Remark Sparks Uproar In Rajya Sabha, Later Issues Apology To Chair

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Tuesday after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge used an expression deemed unparliamentary by the treasury benches. Kharge later apologised to the Chair, clarifying that his remarks were directed at the government, which he accused of creating a regional divide in the country.  

The uproar occurred during a discussion on the working of the Education Ministry, soon after the Question Hour. Opposition members, particularly from the DMK, were already protesting against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks against the Tamil Nadu government. On Monday, Pradhan had criticised the MK Stalin-led government for its stance on the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), accusing it of prioritising politics over students’ future.  

As Deputy Chairman Harivansh called Congress leader Digvijaya Singh to initiate the debate, DMK MPs, dressed in black to oppose delimitation and the NEP, demanded an apology from Pradhan. Amid the protests, Kharge intervened, arguing that the education minister had not been present in the House earlier when the issue was raised. “This is a dictatorship,” Kharge said.  

When the Chair insisted that Singh should proceed with the discussion, Kharge asserted that the opposition was prepared to counter the government. He used a Hindi expression to emphasise his stance, triggering an uproar from treasury benches, which claimed that the phrase was unparliamentary.  

Leader of the House JP Nadda strongly objected, stating, “The language used by the Leader of Opposition, the aspersions on the Chair, is condemnable… This is to be condemned by one and all. The words and language used for the Chair are unpardonable. He should apologise, and the word should be expunged.”  

Kharge Apologises To Rajya Sabha Chairperson, Says Govt ‘Hurting Self-Respect’ Of Tamil Nadu

Kharge immediately apologised, clarifying that his remark was not directed at the Chair but at government policies. “I am sorry, I was not speaking about you, I have said that ‘hum sarkar ki policies ko thokenge’. I apologise to you and not to the government. I am sorry if you were hurt by my remarks, I apologise to you,” he said.

He further accused the government of hurting the self-respect of a section of the country and called for Pradhan’s resignation. “You are hurting the self-respect of a part of this country and people, and calling them uncultured and uncivilised… The minister should be asked to resign. They are talking about dividing and breaking the country,” Kharge said.  

Nadda acknowledged Kharge’s apology to the Chair but maintained that his remarks remained condemnable if directed at the government. Following this, the Chair allowed Digvijaya Singh to begin the debate on the Education Ministry’s functioning.  

The controversy stemmed from Pradhan’s remarks in the Lok Sabha on Monday, where he called the Tamil Nadu government “dishonest and uncivilised” while responding to questions on Central funds for the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. His comments had already evoked strong protests from DMK MPs, which continued in the Rajya Sabha.