Parliament Faces Disruptions Over NEET Paper Leak and Minister's Resignation

This week’s trend continued as the fifth day of the monsoon session saw repeated disruptions in Parliament on Friday, leading to chaos. Opposition members demanded a thorough discussion regarding the NEET paper leak issue and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Consequently, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day, with plans to reconvene on Monday at 11 AM. Additionally, both houses paid tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil War today.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the opposition to allow a debate on the NEET paper leak in the Lok Sabha, stating that any excuse from them would send a wrong message to the nation. However, the Congress and other opposition parties continued to press for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Over the past five days, there has been minimal legislative activity in the Lok Sabha, with both question hour and zero hour not taking place. As the session commenced on Friday morning, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla acknowledged Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrated on July 26, and the house observed a moment of silence in honor of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kargil conflict.

Following the tribute, opposition members began shouting slogans against the government, raising various issues including police actions against protesting students in the capital regarding the NEET paper leak. Speaker Om Birla appealed to the opposition to allow the question hour to proceed, assuring them that they would have the opportunity to express their views afterward. However, due to the ongoing uproar, he adjourned the proceedings until noon. The disruption continued, leading to another adjournment until Monday at 11 AM.

In the Rajya Sabha, the session was suspended for the day after two adjournments due to the uproar from opposition members demanding a discussion on the NEET paper leak following the resignation of the education minister. The chaos prevented both zero hour and question hour from occurring in the upper house as well. When the session resumed at 2 PM after the second adjournment, opposition members again insisted on discussing the NEET paper leak only after the minister's resignation. Deputy Chairman Harivansh mentioned the introduction of the National Honor (Amendment) Bill 2026, which aims to provide the national song 'Vande Mataram' with the same legal protection currently afforded to the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.

In the midst of the uproar, he noted that four days had passed without any legislative work being accomplished. He requested Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to present the National Honor (Amendment) Bill 2026 for discussion and passage. This bill faced opposition from members of the left parties. Nevertheless, it was introduced in the house through a voice vote. Following this, the Deputy Chairman attempted to initiate a discussion on the bill, but the opposition's uproar led to the adjournment of the proceedings for the entire day.

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