IIM Guwahati clears Rajya Sabha; Pradhan brings up CSDS row

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, when given the floor, said the Opposition has been trying to raise the issue of SIR daily. The Chair, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, did not allow him to raise the issue.

As the Opposition walked out amid sloganeering, Kalita said: “You are walking out, that is also a part of democracy. But while going out also, you should maintain decorum.”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who introduced the Bill, said: “They are not letting the Parliament, which runs on the taxes of the poor people, (function).”

He also said the Congress was referencing information posted by an expert from Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) with malafide intentions. He also said the institution had received funding from the ICSSR and that taking money from India and challenging its constitutional system is not a good thing.

Several members who participated in the discussion said the institute would ensure access to good global quality education in the northeast.

AIADMK member M Thambidurai raised the issue of student suicides at IIMs. He also raised the issues of appointments of V-Cs in Tamil Nadu, which is stuck in a legal quagmire. The TN government is currently in court over a set of laws that shift the power to appoint V-C to the state government from the Governor.

In his response, Pradhan said his ministry will look into the suggestions from members.