On Monday, the Rajya Sabha convened to address a pressing issue that has garnered national attention: the tragic drowning of three students at a Delhi coaching center. This incident occurred when heavy rains flooded the basement of the center, leading to the death of two women and a man in their twenties who were civil service aspirants. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar called the incident a serious concern, prompting an urgent discussion that temporarily halted the regular parliamentary business. The session aimed to delve into the underlying causes of the tragedy, the responsibilities of various stakeholders, and potential solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
During the approximately two-and-a-half-hour debate, members from both the ruling alliance and the opposition presented their viewpoints and criticisms. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar initiated the discussion by labeling coaching centers as “silos which are no less than a gas chamber.” He criticized the substantial advertising budgets of these institutions, suggesting that the funds were sourced from students’ fees, which he argued indicated a systemic issue within the coaching industry. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged that both state and central governments share responsibility for educational oversight. He expressed condolences for the victims and highlighted that the central government had issued multiple advisories to state governments on the regulation of coaching centers. Pradhan stressed that these guidelines, if followed, might have prevented the tragedy. He also indicated openness to discussing broader issues related to education, including the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET).Various opposition members criticized the Delhi government and central authorities. BJP member Sudhangshu Trivedi accused the Delhi government of criminal negligence and inaction. TMC’s Derek O’Brien questioned the government’s urgency in addressing other national issues such as railway accidents and natural disasters, suggesting a selective response to the coaching center tragedy. DMK’s Triruchi Siva defended the Delhi government, attributing the incident to the Lieutenant Governor’s oversight. AAP member Sanjay Singh alleged that the central government had intentionally undermined the Delhi administration’s authority. Several members called for systemic reforms. AAP’s Swati Maliwal demanded regulatory policies for coaching centers and accountability for government officials involved. Minister of State Ramdas Athawale proposed a permission mechanism for establishing coaching institutions. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi linked the tragedy to broader issues of youth unemployment and criticized the central government’s job schemes, arguing that they fail to address the underlying problems affecting the youth.
The Rajya Sabha’s discussion on the Delhi coaching center tragedy underscored a complex interplay of educational, infrastructural, and administrative issues. The debate revealed deep-seated concerns about the regulation of coaching institutes, the adequacy of civic infrastructure, and the responsibilities of various governmental bodies. While the session highlighted the need for urgent reforms and better oversight, it also illustrated the political divide on the issue. Moving forward, it is imperative that both central and state governments collaborate to address these challenges comprehensively, ensuring that such a tragedy does not recur and that the educational environment is safe and equitable for all students.
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