The Lok Sabha witnessed uproar over the NEET paper leak as the Opposition demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. While the government agreed to discuss the issue, protests, heated exchanges, and repeated disruptions led to the adjournment of the House.
The Lok Sabha witnessed stormy scenes on Wednesday after the Opposition intensified its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET question paper leak. The issue dominated parliamentary proceedings, triggering heated exchanges between treasury and Opposition benches before the House was eventually adjourned amid continuing protests.
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal raised the matter at the outset, insisting that the government first accept an adjournment motion to enable a comprehensive discussion on the controversy. Reiterating the Opposition’s stand, he maintained that the Education Minister should step down, holding him accountable for the alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET examination.
“Our demand is very clear: the Education Minister should resign. If you accept the adjournment motion, then discuss it,” Venugopal said during the proceedings.
Responding on behalf of the government, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the Centre was fully prepared to discuss the alleged NEET paper leak in Parliament. However, he clarified that the timing, duration, and procedural framework of the discussion would be determined by the Speaker after consultations with floor leaders of all political parties.
“The government is ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue. The discussion will take place according to parliamentary rules. The Speaker will decide the format and duration after consulting all party leaders. We want a meaningful discussion concerning the future of the country’s youth,” Rijiju said.
The debate took another turn when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav intervened, stressing that the issue extended beyond political differences and directly affected millions of students and their families across India. He argued that every political party should be allowed to express its views on a matter of such national importance.
Yadav criticised the government’s handling of protests linked to the NEET controversy, alleging that students demonstrating against the alleged paper leak had been subjected to excessive police action in Delhi. He claimed that students were injured during the demonstrations and questioned the government’s approach towards young protesters.
The Samajwadi Party leader also referred to the Opposition’s protest near the Prime Minister’s residence, asserting that the demonstration was a consequence of not being given sufficient opportunity to raise the matter inside Parliament. He questioned why the Prime Minister could not make a statement on the issue in the Lok Sabha.
As Opposition members continued raising slogans inside the House, Speaker Om Birla repeatedly appealed for order and reminded members that the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a discussion on the NEET controversy. He urged protesting MPs to participate in the debate through established parliamentary procedures instead of disrupting proceedings.
Despite the Speaker’s repeated appeals, Opposition members continued their protest, leading to persistent disruptions. With normal business becoming impossible, the Speaker adjourned the House until 2 p.m.
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The NEET paper leak controversy has emerged as one of the most contentious issues during the ongoing Parliament session, with the Opposition demanding greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations. While the government has agreed to a parliamentary discussion on the matter, the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation continues to remain a major point of contention, ensuring that the issue is likely to dominate parliamentary proceedings in the coming days.
