In response to the opposition's demand for a discussion on the alleged irregularities in competitive examinations like NEET and NET, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress and its allies of spreading lies and misleading students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech in Rajya Sabha, assured that the government will not spare anyone playing with the future of students and strict steps will be taken. Meanwhile, an American jewellery designer discovered that the 478 pieces of jewellery made in Jaipur were fake, prompting the police to file an FIR against the accused jewellers who have since fled.
In Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce criticism against the Opposition for their silence on the recent public flogging of a woman in West Bengal. He accused them of having a "selective approach" towards crime against women and cited the incident as a prime example. The video had sparked widespread outrage against the Mamata Banerjee-led government in Bengal. The Opposition, led by the Congress, staged a walkout in protest after their leader was not allowed to intervene during PM Modi's speech. The Prime Minister continued his address amid the slogan-shouting.
On Sunday, Narendra Modi made history by taking oath as India's Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, matching the record set by the first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The new Council of Ministers consists of 72 members, including eleven from the Rajya Sabha. This makes up around 15% of the Council of Ministers, with 31 cabinet ministers, 5 Ministers of State (Independent charge), and 36 ministers of state, including 6 members from the Rajya Sabha. Among the new cabinet ministers are Jagat Prakash Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Hardeep Singh Puri. Additionally, six Rajya Sabha members have been appointed as Ministers of State, including Ramdas Athawale, Ramnath Thakur, B L Verma, L Murugan, Satish Chandra Dubey, and Pabitra Margherita.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term has seen eleven members from the Rajya Sabha being sworn in as Ministers in his Council. Additionally, the Council of Ministers also includes many newly-elected MPs from the Lok Sabha. Two of the new Ministers, Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian, are required to become members of Parliament within the next six months. A total of 72 members, including Modi, took their oaths on Sunday. Interestingly, 15% of the Council consists of Rajya Sabha members including big names like Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar.
Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, passed away on Monday night at the age of 72. The news was met with grief and condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. Sushil Modi had previously served as the deputy CM of Bihar and was also a former Rajya Sabha MP. He breathed his last at AIIMS in Delhi and will be cremated in Patna on Tuesday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the opposition party Congress for its alleged plans to distribute the nation's wealth among certain groups for political gain. He also accused the party of spreading fear among marginalized communities and using Rajasthan as a means to secure seats in the Rajya Sabha for non-local leaders. Modi's remarks highlight the ongoing political rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in the lead up to India's upcoming state elections.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Sudha Murty, an author and philanthropist, to the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her and highlighted her contributions in social work, philanthropy, and education. This announcement was made on International Women's Day, and Murty's presence in the Rajya Sabha is seen as a powerful representation of women's potential in shaping the country's destiny. Murty is the daughter-in-law of Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murty and has received multiple awards for her contributions to society.
On International Women's Day, the Indian government announced the nomination of renowned writer, sociologist, and philanthropist Sudha Murthy to the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy and confidence in Sudha Murthy's selection, emphasizing the importance of showcasing women's strength and capabilities in leadership roles. Sudha Murthy's impactful contributions to education, social service, and philanthropy have earned her widespread recognition and admiration, making her appointment a testament to the power of women in India's political arena.
Amid the ongoing proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his guidance and dedication as an MP. However, in the past, Modi and Singh have clashed over issues of policy and political ideology, with Modi even calling Singh a "night watchman" and questioning his leadership abilities. Modi's past remarks resurfaced when he made a comment about Singh's "clean record" in the midst of corruption allegations against his own government. This led to a walkout by the Opposition.
Manmohan Singh, who has served in the Rajya Sabha for 33 years, bid farewell to the House on Thursday. Members from all parties praised the economist turned politician for his contributions to the nation and personal integrity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh's former political adversary, lauded his predecessor for his democratic values and dedication to his role as a parliamentarian.