Parliament Monsoon Session 2026 Highlights: Congress setting conditions to scuttle debate, alleges Kiren Rijiju

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other leaders who backed the youth protest in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, calling the action "undemocratic" and "condemnable."

Expressing solidarity with the Opposition's protest in the Parliament complex, Vijay said TVK extended its "full support" to the demonstration against the arrests.

Reiterating the party's stand on NEET, Vijay said, "The NEET examination system must be abolished completely," adding that the party would "never make false promises for vote-bank politics" on the issue. He said the examination had affected not only students but also their families.

Vijay argued that the "only permanent solution" was to shift education back to the State List. As an interim measure, he proposed creating a "Special Concurrent List" to give state governments greater powers over education, including medical education, until legal or constitutional hurdles are resolved.

"The Union government must respect the sentiments of the people and of the students. As an expression of that respect, the NEET examination must be abolished entirely," Vijay said, reiterating that scrapping NEET remained the only solution to the issue.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been till 11 am on Thursday as the Opposition continued to demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and sought an immediate discussion on the NEET row.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the Congress of attempting to derail a discussion on the alleged NEET irregularities by imposing fresh conditions, despite the government agreeing to hold a debate on the issue.

"The government has agreed to discuss the matter. But the Congress is bringing new conditions only to sabotage the discussion," Rijiju said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticised the Congress-led Opposition over its protests in Delhi, accusing it of using students and youth as political tools instead of raising issues in Parliament.

Calling the ongoing protests "a matter of serious concern", Singh said, "It is extremely unfortunate that some people are trying to use our country's students and youth as political tools to fulfil their political interests."

He asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government was committed to the welfare of students, saying, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government is fully committed to fulfilling the aspirations and ensuring the welfare of students and youth."

Stressing that the government was responsive to students' concerns, Singh said, "It is our responsibility to listen to every concern of our students and resolve it." He added that he was confident India's "aware, mature and discerning youth" would not be misled and would instead choose the path of "progress, development and nation-building."

Targeting the Opposition, Singh alleged, "The 'manufactured sense of anger' being created by some Opposition leaders is nothing but a failed attempt to confuse and mislead the public, especially our children and youth."

Mallikarjun Kharge, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue, insisted that the House take up the matter under Rule 267.

Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Kharge said, "We want a discussion under Rule 267. Until the Education Minister resigns, no discussion can take place."

The Opposition has been pressing for an immediate discussion on the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, while demanding accountability from the government.

What is Rule 267?

Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha Rules of Procedure allows the House to suspend a specific procedural rule to take up a matter connected with the day's listed business. However, the provision cannot be invoked to raise an unrelated urgent issue merely by giving notice, as the matter must have a direct connection with the business scheduled for the day.

The rule is regarded as a significant parliamentary mechanism because, if admitted by the Chair, it enables the House to set aside its normal business to consider the specified matter. The Rajya Sabha Chair has, however, consistently maintained that Rule 267 has a limited scope and can only be invoked in accordance with its procedural requirements.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 3 pm amid continued Opposition protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET issue.

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House JP Nadda accused the INDIA bloc of displaying "anti-democratic" and "irresponsible" conduct in Parliament, alleging that it was violating parliamentary decorum and democratic values.

He said the government was ready to discuss all issues, including the NEET paper leak, and asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government was transparent and worked in the interests of the people. Nadda also condemned the Opposition's actions, claiming it did not believe in democracy or democratic values.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon Session after he allegedly used unparliamentary language against women MPs.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the motion for his suspension, citing a complaint submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and stating that Banerjee's conduct violated parliamentary decorum.

The House subsequently adopted the motion, suspending Banerjee for the rest of the session.

Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day amid opposition uproar demanding NEET discussion.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said there would be no debate in Parliament until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over the NEET issue. Kharge reiterated the Opposition's demand for Pradhan's resignation.

"We are fully prepared for a discussion on all issues, including NEET paper leak. It is your sloganeering that is disturbing the proceedings of the House," Kiren Rijiu said in Lok Sabha.

"As the ruling party has said, and as the government wants, we are ready to sit together and decide the time under the rules. We are prepared to accept whatever ruling the Chair gives. The Chair will also decide how long the discussion should continue. The government is fully prepared for a discussion.

The conduct of the INDIA alliance is highly irresponsible. It is an irresponsible attitude and an anti-democratic activity. It is clearly visible in Parliament. They are tearing apart the dignity of Parliament and undermining democratic institutions," he said in the Lower House.

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha resumed after the Houses reconvened at 2 pm.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the media on the NEET examination controversy at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi at 4 pm, the party said.

Lok Sabha Speaker will hold separate meetings with floor leaders of all political parties to build consensus on a discussion over the NEET controversy and alleged examination paper leak in the House.

According to the inputs, if the Opposition agrees, the government is prepared to begin a discussion on the issue from Thursday.

The move comes amid repeated demands from Opposition parties for a debate on the NEET paper leak issue, which has disrupted proceedings in Parliament. The Speaker's meetings are aimed at reaching a consensus to facilitate a structured discussion in the Lok Sabha.

(Inputs from Himanshu Mishra)

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition is free to demand the resignation of the Education Minister during the debate on the issue.

Responding to questions on the Opposition's demand, Rijiju said, "Whatever the Opposition wants to say, it can raise during the debate. If there is a long discussion, every member will have the full right to express their views. No one will stop the Opposition from saying what it wants to say during the discussion."

He added, "But if conditions are imposed before the discussion even begins that make it impossible for the debate to take place, it means you do not want a discussion. The government has said with an open mind that it is ready for a debate. It is not appropriate to impose conditions that prevent the discussion from taking place.

Parliament is meant for discussion, and the government does not run away from any issue. In a democracy, it is our responsibility to inform the people about the work we do. I also appeal to the Opposition not to adopt an approach that obstructs the discussion. The debate must take place."

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition uproar, with MPs demanding an immediate discussion on the NEET paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the NEET paper leak was not an issue of the Samajwadi Party, the Congress or the BJP, but one that concerned students across the country. Questioning the government's handling of the matter, saying the Opposition was left with no choice but to march to the Prime Minister's residence.

"This is not an issue of the Samajwadi Party, Congress or the BJP. It is not the issue of any political party. It is an issue concerning students. You called them, you called them over, and then reached a compromise. This is not right. We were compelled to go to the Prime Minister's residence," said.

Congress MP KC Venugopal, speaking in the Lok Sabha, reiterated the Opposition's demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, saying, "Our demand is clear. The Education Minister should resign."