NEW DELHI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Monday moved a privilege notice against Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeking action against him for “breach of Parliamentary privilege“. This came after Pradhan made a controversial remark on DMK MPs in Lok Sabha and accused the Tamil Nadu government of taking a U-turn on PM SHRI scheme during a discussion on National Education Policy.
Kanimozhi, in her notice, has called the accusation “factually incorrect” and accused Pradhan of “misleading the House”.
“The Hon’ble Minister claimed that the Tamil Nadu Government had initially agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of India for accepting the PM-SHRI scheme but later took a U-turn, which is factually incorrect, misleading the house and against official records,” she said.
Regarding the controversial remark, which was later taken back by Pradhan, Kanimozhi said, “The Hon’ble Minister used intemperate remarks such as ‘mislead,’ ‘dishonest,’ ‘undemocratic,’ and ‘uncivilised’ against me and my parliamentary colleagues from the DMK and other supporting parties and also made baseless accusations against an entire group of elected representatives from Tamil Nadu, which in turn reflects the people of Tamil Nadu.”
The education minister’s statements have received massive criticism from the DMK leaders, who burnt and beat his effigy in Tamil Nadu, expressing their outrage.
Additionally, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also criticised him who suggested him to “control his tongue”. “Union Minister Dharmendhra Pradhan who thinks himself as king speaking with arrogance should have control over his tongue,” Stalin said.
During Question Hour, Pradhan accused the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government of initially agreeing to implement the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme but later reneging on its commitment. His remarks sparked a protest by the DMK, leading to the adjournment of proceedings in the Lower House of Parliament.