Parliament – Fourth Day of Deadlock as NEET Leak Row Stalls Both Houses
Parliament –The ongoing dispute over the alleged NEET paper leak continued to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Thursday, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha remaining largely non-functional for the fourth consecutive day. Opposition parties maintained their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before any discussion on the issue, while the government reiterated its readiness to hold a detailed debate without any preconditions.
Opposition Maintains Stand on Minister’s Resignation
According to sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has been in contact with leaders of several Opposition parties in an effort to break the impasse. However, Opposition representatives reportedly conveyed that they would participate in discussions only after Pradhan steps down from his post.
Sources also indicated that leaders of the INDIA bloc met on Thursday morning and unanimously agreed to continue pressing for the minister’s resignation. The alliance also decided that once this demand is addressed, it would seek a discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak through an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha and under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha.
Government Invites Debate Without Conditions
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha witnessed repeated interruptions as Opposition members raised slogans inside the House. Addressing reporters, Kiren Rijiju said the government has never avoided a discussion on the issue and accused the Opposition of creating unnecessary conditions before participating.
He stated that the government was prepared to allow members to speak for as long as required, even if the discussion extended over two days. Rijiju added that the government also wished to present its position on the controversy and had already reached out to the Congress and other Opposition parties to decide the timing and duration of the debate.
According to the minister, the government remains willing to accommodate the Opposition’s preferences regarding the scheduling of the discussion if Parliament is allowed to function normally.
Protests Outside Parliament Add to Tensions
Even before the Houses assembled, members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition staged separate demonstrations outside Parliament, leading to a tense atmosphere around the Makar Dwar entrance.
Lawmakers from both sides gathered in large numbers and raised slogans supporting their respective positions. Members of the ruling alliance accused the Opposition of turning the NEET controversy into a political issue and chanted slogans including “Vande Mataram” and “Sharam Karo.” On the other hand, INDIA bloc leaders continued demanding the resignation of the Education Minister.
Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined other Opposition MPs during the protest, holding a large banner calling for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Rajya Sabha Also Witnesses Repeated Adjournments
The Rajya Sabha experienced similar disruptions throughout the day, forcing repeated adjournments before proceedings were finally suspended until Friday.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that meaningful discussions could begin only after the Education Minister resigned. He also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the matter for an extended period, saying students had been facing unnecessary hardship while seeking answers over the examination controversy.
Political Exchange Continues Over NEET Issue
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda rejected the Opposition’s allegations and accused it of deliberately preventing Parliament from functioning. He argued that the government had already expressed its willingness to discuss the NEET paper leak and other related matters, but claimed the Opposition was unwilling to participate despite repeated offers.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Prime Minister over the issue, alleging that the government had failed to safeguard the future of students and had weakened the country’s education system. His remarks came in response to the Prime Minister’s social media post, further intensifying the political exchange surrounding the examination controversy.
With both sides remaining firm on their respective positions, the legislative stalemate has continued to delay normal parliamentary business, leaving no immediate signs of a breakthrough.