'Education Minister, resign' chants rock Lok Sabha as NEET row paralyses Parliament

Parliament remained deadlocked for the fifth consecutive day on Friday as repeated disruptions over the NEET paper leak issue paralysed proceedings in both Houses. The sharpest confrontation unfolded in the Lok Sabha after it reconvened at noon, with Opposition MPs raising "resignation, resignation" slogans and demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's exit. Despite appeals by Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Chair to allow a discussion, the protests continued, forcing the House to be adjourned for the day.

The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 noon after Opposition members disrupted proceedings soon after the sitting began. Raising slogans seeking Pradhan's resignation, Opposition MPs prevented the House from functioning despite the Speaker reminding them that he had already assured a discussion on the paper leak issue under House rules.

Birla said Question Hour was an important mechanism through which members hold the government accountable and urged the Opposition not to disrupt proceedings. However, the protests continued, forcing the first adjournment.

When the House reconvened at noon, the stalemate persisted. Opposition MPs rushed to the Well of the House, chanting "Dharmendra Pradhan istifa do" and demanding the Education Minister's resignation, leaving the Lok Sabha unable to conduct any business. Even after they returned to their seat, the sloganeering continued.

Amid the uproar, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to allow a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue, saying the government had already agreed to hold a debate and had repeatedly reached out to Opposition leaders.

"The government had also agreed to hold a discussion. But then a condition was imposed that prevented the discussion from taking place. We appealed to you again, yesterday as well as this morning. I have once again appealed to KC Venugopal ji because you are the principal Opposition party. As far as the rest of the MPs are concerned, we all share the same view, that there should be a discussion," Rijiju said.

Calling the issue one of national importance, the minister said avoiding a debate would send the wrong message to the country.

"This concerns the examination issue. The Prime Minister has assured the country. If we now avoid holding a discussion before the nation, it will not send the right message," he said.

Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already assured the country that a stringent law would be brought to deal with examination paper leaks and that the government remained committed to fulfilling that promise.

Urging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to convince his party colleagues, Rijiju said several MPs from other parties had also privately expressed the view that Parliament should hold a discussion.

As the protests continued, the Chair repeatedly appealed to protesting members to return to their seats, assuring them that Rahul Gandhi would be allowed to speak.

"So, if the government is fully prepared for that discussion, I request all of you to kindly take your seats. Please go back to your seats. I will allow Rahul ji to speak. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has already made a statement on behalf of the government, explaining the steps the government has taken," Presiding Officer Jagdambika Pal said.

However, the Opposition members continued chanting "resignation" slogans and refused to relent, following which the House was adjourned for the day.

Outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi rejected the government's appeal and said the Opposition would not participate in any discussion until Pradhan resigned.

Responding to Rijiju's statement in the House, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged that he was not allowed to reply after the minister referred to him.

"Just now, Minister Rijiju made a statement that he wants to tell our MPs that there should be a discussion. Normal protocol says that if someone mentions someone else's name, they are responded to. When I wanted to respond, my mic was taken away. I wasn't given the opportunity," Gandhi said.

He reiterated that the Opposition had laid down three conditions before agreeing to any discussion.

"The students have three demands: 1) The corrupt Education Minister has to go, 2) Action against those who attacked students and beat them up, 3) The PM should apologise to the students. These are the three conditions. We are not going to have any conversation, any discussion before Mr Pradhan is sacked. That's it," Gandhi said.

The Rajya Sabha also remained disrupted during the day. Proceedings were adjourned till noon after Opposition parties continued their protests over the NEET paper leak issue. Soon after Zero Hour began, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise the issue, but Chairman CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the House amid noisy scenes.