"Coaching has become virtually commerce": Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on death of three UPSC aspirants

New Delhi: Agreeing to hold discussion on the deaths of three UPSC aspirants at a coaching centre in Delhi, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said on Monday that coaching has become "virtually commerce."
The Vice President said this after Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal gave notice to hold a discussion in the house on the deaths of three UPSC aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre in West Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar on Saturday.
"I find that youth demographic dividend of the country has to nurtured, I further find that coaching has become virtually commerce every time we read a newspaper front one or two pages are by way of advertisements. In a country where opportunities are getting enlarged this silo is turning out to be a problem. I deem it appropriate to have a short duration discussion under Rules 176 or a calling attention U/R 180. For that, I will confer with the leaders of the parties immediately before zero hour begins in my chamber," Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
Dhankhar will also hold an in-chamber meet with leaders of all parliamentary parties on this issue.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju agreed to discuss the matter under Rule 267, which is urgent but the LoP and Congress disagreed to discuss the matter under Rule 267.
However, opposition parties were not ready to discuss under Rule 267.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader KC Venugopal asked about the coaching institute incident in Delhi and pressure on students
"Students suicide is one of the major issues in the country. In the other House, the answer was given by the minister in 2023. The major issue is that caste discrimination is also happening in the institution. Those who belong to SC, ST and OBC are treated like second line students. This issue is one of the bigger issues. I don't know whether the government is taking actions on these things. The day before yesterday, a very sad incident happened in the Delhi coaching centre. Three of the students lost lives. Some of the coaching centres have become mafia. Will the government take any action or guidelines on these things?" Venugopal asked.
Responding to Venugopal, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is committed to the socio-psychological welfare of students. On coaching centres, detailed guidelines were issued in January this year by the Centre to States, and some states, such as Goa and Rajasthan, have their own guidelines.
"This government is committed to socio-psychological welfare of students. Whether they are studying in the coaching centre or in institution., school education to higher education,. Regarding the coaching centres, government of India, in the month of January 2024, issued detailed guidelines to all the states," he said.
Earlier today, Swati Maliwal gave a notice for a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of the deaths of three UPSC aspirants and sought "justice and compensation" for the families of the victims.
"I have filed notice today for the suspension of business of Rajya Sabha under Rule 267 for discussion on the pertinent issue before the nation - justice and compensation for the 4 UPSC aspirants who have died in Patel Nagar and Rajender Nagar. The voice of the students will not go unheard," Maliwal posted on X.
On Saturday, July 27, three UPSC aspirants died after the basement of a coaching centre in West Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar was flooded with water.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP workers and leaders protested against the AAP government in Delhi, near the AAP Office, over the Old Rajinder Nagar incident.
Earlier, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in Delhi High Court, seeking the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the Rajinder Nagar incident.
The Delhi Police arrested the owner and coordinator of the coaching centre in connection with the incident and booked them for culpable homicide, among other charges.
Following the tragedy, students staged protests, demanding justice from the government and action against illegally used basements. The incident has ignited a political blame game among various parties.