Debate Deferred: The Tragic Deaths of UPSC Aspirants in Delhi

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar postponed a decision on discussing the deaths of UPSC aspirants at a Delhi coaching center due to lack of consensus between ruling and opposition parties. The opposition Congress did not favor Rule 267, as conveyed by Jairam Ramesh. Dhankhar suggested other ways to address the issue.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has postponed a decision on allowing a discussion regarding the recent tragic deaths of UPSC aspirants at a Delhi coaching center. Dhankhar cited a lack of agreement between the ruling party and the opposition as the reason for the delay.

A number of members, including Sudhanshu Trivedi, Ram Chandra Jangra, and Surendra Singh Nagar from BJP, along with Swati Maliwal from AAP and John Brittas from CPI (M), had called for a discussion under Rule 267, which permits the suspension of the day's usual business to debate pressing issues. However, Dhankhar noted that the opposition Congress had not agreed to this course of action.

Chairman Dhankhar emphasized the significance of the matter, acknowledging the need to nurture the youth demographic dividend and expressing concern over the commercialisation of coaching. He proposed considering alternative methods for discussion, such as a short-duration discussion or a calling attention motion under Rules 176 or 180, and promised to consult party leaders after Zero Hour. Government and opposition leaders supported urgent discussions but also highlighted other pressing issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)