Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Centre during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, attacking the government for unemployment, inflation, and reported attempts to end reservation. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge accused BJP members of promoting and protecting Modi’s “monocratic style.” He compared recent regime changes in Jharkhand and Bihar, highlighting differences in the swearing-in formalities for new leaders.
Kharge called on Modi to condemn recent draft guidelines by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on de-reserving faculty posts for SC and ST candidates. He urged the Prime Minister to speak out against attacks on SC, ST, OBC, and women. Kharge also raised issues such as the violence against a girl student in Banaras Hindu University.
Piyush Goyal, Leader of the House, contested Kharge’s statements, accusing him of raising divisive issues and disputing the inflation data presented. Goyal welcomed BJP members’ enthusiasm when Kharge quoted Modi’s slogan “Ab ki baar 400 paar,” suggesting the party would cross 400 seats in the next elections. Kharge responded by saying that India would win and warned against testing the tolerance of marginalized communities. He highlighted the increase in unemployment under the Modi regime and criticized the government’s handling of vacancies in various sectors. Kharge also mentioned alleged police torture during the Winter Session’s security breach in Parliament.
