Parliament Debates Delhi Coaching Centre Deaths and AAP’s Role

Parliament Debate Erupts Over Delhi Coaching Centre Deaths

The Lok Sabha was filled with intense discussions on Monday regarding the tragic deaths of three civil service aspirants who drowned in a flooded basement of a Delhi coaching centre. The debate highlighted significant concerns about safety regulations and governmental accountability.

BJP and Congress Clash Over Delhi Government’s Role

BJP’s Criticism of Delhi Government

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj criticized the Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), for its “utter and absolute apathy” which she believes contributed to the tragedy. Swaraj’s impassioned speech highlighted the alleged failure of the Delhi government to address safety violations despite repeated complaints. “For a decade, AAP has enjoyed power in Delhi but failed to address critical issues affecting its residents,” she charged.

Swaraj pointed to the lack of action by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Jal Board, both under AAP’s jurisdiction. She urged the Home Ministry to establish a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter and hold accountable those responsible for the oversight.

Congress MP Calls for Accountability

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, whose state was home to one of the deceased students, called for accountability regarding the lapses that led to the deaths. Tharoor emphasized that no amount of compensation could make up for the loss of a promising student who had aspirations to serve the nation.

“There are serious issues concerning violations of building codes, fire safety, and flood safety standards in Delhi. The responsibility of ensuring compliance lies with the local authorities as well,” Tharoor asserted.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Bulldozer Remark and BJP’s Response

Akhilesh Yadav Questions Government Actions

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether bulldozer actions would be extended to the coaching centre as part of the response to the crisis. His remarks were a direct challenge to the Delhi government’s handling of the situation.

BJP Accuses AAP of Criminal Negligence

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the AAP government of “criminal negligence” after it was revealed that the coaching centre in Rajinder Nagar had violated numerous safety norms. The BJP’s criticism reflects ongoing dissatisfaction with how the AAP administration has managed urban safety issues.

Rajya Sabha Discussion Deferred

In the Rajya Sabha, a scheduled discussion on the death of four students—including three who drowned and one who was electrocuted—was deferred. Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar noted that he received three notices for suspending regular House business to address the issue but faced opposition from Congress members.

Before deferring the discussion, Dhankhar remarked on the need to nurture the youth demographic dividend of the country and expressed concerns about the commercialization of coaching institutes. “Every newspaper we read is filled with advertisements from these coaching centres,” he observed.

Conclusion

The parliamentary debate over the coaching centre deaths underscores urgent issues related to safety regulations and governmental accountability. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and addressing systemic failures that led to the tragedy.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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