NDA MPs to Protest Against Congress Sit-in Over Exam Paper Leaks
Protest Planned by NDA MPs
File image of opposition party MPs protesting in front of Makar Dwar in Parliament
(Photo: @kcvenugopalmp/X)
New Delhi, July 23: Members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are set to hold a demonstration at Makar Dwar in Parliament on Thursday, protesting against the Congress party's sit-in that took place on July 21 near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence concerning exam paper leaks.
The protest is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m.
On the previous day, the BJP accused Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of shirking his responsibilities and merely trying to create disturbances.
Gandhi, along with other senior Congress figures and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, had conducted a sit-in near PM Modi's residence on Tuesday in response to police action against anti-NEET leak demonstrators, leading to their brief detention by law enforcement.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj stated: "He (Rahul Gandhi) mentioned that if the government was open to discussing the matter in Parliament, then 'we will leave the place'. Since the government led by PM Modi aims to resolve issues through dialogue, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh approached him to initiate a conversation. However, the Leader of Opposition retracted his statement," she explained.
Additionally, Swaraj asserted that the Opposition had not submitted any formal notice for a discussion regarding the paper leak in the House.
She continued, "Today, the '193' notice was presented in Parliament; I also submitted a notice requesting an open discussion on the NEET examination...because the government has nothing to conceal and is genuinely dedicated to the welfare of students. We are prepared to address the concerns of students across the nation. Yet, it appears the Opposition is evading its responsibilities."
"In fact, the notice for discussion (on NEET) was submitted by the treasury benches, not the Opposition. No formal notice was provided by the Leader of Opposition. The House does not operate based on anyone's whims," she remarked.
Swaraj emphasized that since Rahul Gandhi has the opportunity to voice his concerns in the House, he should do so formally and leave the high-security area near PM Modi's residence, stating, "but they prefer to avoid fulfilling their role as the Opposition and instead only create chaos."
On Wednesday morning, Opposition MPs gathered outside the Parliament complex dressed in black to express their outrage and protest against police violence.
Lawmakers from various parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, united in a display of solidarity against police 'brutality' and the government's approach to the students' protests at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas, where demonstrators had gathered for the 'Chalo Sansad' march organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
Furthermore, opposition leaders indicated on Wednesday that their agitation would persist unless the government agrees to an adjournment motion in Parliament.