Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day as opposition protests over NEET-UG paper leak and the resignation demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan continued to disrupt the Monsoon Session.
Both Houses witnessed repeated disruptions for the fourth consecutive day as opposition MPs raised slogans, displayed placards and demanded a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination, coupled with Pradhan's resignation.
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The din forced multiple adjournments before proceedings for the day were called off.
Fourth day of disruptions in Parliament
The Lok Sabha, which reconvened at noon and later at 2 pm after earlier adjournments, again descended into chaos as opposition members trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans. Presiding officer Dileep Saikia repeatedly appealed to members to maintain decorum and return to their seats, saying disruption of proceedings was not appropriate.
Earlier, during Question Hour, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged members to allow the House to function and assured them that the government was prepared for a discussion on the issue.
"The Question Hour is the most important. After the Question Hour, the House is ready to discuss every issue. I will speak to the government and the government is also ready for discussions. I appeal to all members to participate in the discussion after the Question Hour," Birla said.
Amid the deadlock, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met Birla, along with Trinamool Congress MPs Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra, to press for a debate on the controversy.
The protests marked the fourth consecutive day of disruptions in Parliament over the NEET paper leak issue.
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Govt offers debate, blames Opposition for stalemate
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of imposing preconditions and avoiding a discussion on the issue despite the government's willingness to debate it.
As opposition members continued to demand Pradhan's resignation, Rijiju said the government also wanted to present its position during the discussion.
He said opposition MPs could "speak for as long as they want" and that the debate could continue for "even two days". According to Rijiju, the opposition could decide both the date and duration of the discussion in the two Houses.
The minister also said the government had reached out to the Congress and other opposition parties to facilitate the debate, but the impasse persisted as protests continued inside Parliament and outside the complex, where CJP's supporters staged demonstrations demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar.
