Uproar continued in Lok Sabha on NEET paper leak issue for the 5th day. The government said it is ready for discussion, but the opposition is adamant on demanding the resignation of the Education Minister. Meanwhile, PM Modi has assured to bring a strict law on paper leaks.
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): The ruckus continued in the Lok Sabha on Friday as opposition members came to the well of the House despite repeated appeals for the seat, following which Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stressed that the government was ready for discussion and not holding the discussion now would not send the right message to the country. After this the House was adjourned till 11 am on Monday.
Addressing the House amid the protests, Rijiju said, “I have once again requested KC Venugopal ji today, when we all are of the opinion that there should be a discussion on NEET. The PM has assured the country. Sonam Wangchuk has broken her hunger strike and demanded a discussion. If we do not discuss, it will not send the right message to the country.”
Government will bring strict law on paper leaks
Rijiju further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured strict law, which will be discussed in the cabinet meeting today. “PM Modi has assured that there will be a strict law on exam paper leak. We have a cabinet meeting at 1 pm, where we will also decide about a strict law.”
After this, he directly appealed to the opposition leader and said, “I appeal to Rahul Gandhi to explain to his MPs. I do not understand why we cannot have a good discussion on this on the 5th day of Parliament. Don’t put any conditions,” he said, referring to the demand of the opposition MPs in which they were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Opposition adamant on demand for resignation
Despite Rijiju’s appeal, opposition MPs came to the well of the House and continued their protest over the NEET-UG paper leak issue. Jagdambika Pal, sitting on the dais, repeatedly appealed to the protesting members to allow the House proceedings to proceed and return to their seats. He told the House that the government has informed that it is ready for discussion.
When the disruption showed no signs of abating, Pal reiterated his appeal to the opposition and adjourned the proceedings till 11 am on Monday after ‘resignation’ slogans were raised in the House. This was the fifth consecutive day when Lok Sabha proceedings were affected due to the paper leak controversy. The opposition is adamant on demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while the government has repeatedly said that they are ready for discussions.
PM Modi promises strict action
The development came after PM Modi on Thursday promised “more strict” action against paper leaks amid the CJP-led protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 exam. In a self-recorded video shared on Twitter, the Prime Minister announced that the Union Cabinet will consider a draft bill providing for fast-track courts and tougher punishment for criminals. “I have issued instructions to departments to set up fast-track courts,” he said.
The opposition is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, a controversy that has sparked protests inside and outside the House. Along with the video, the Prime Minister wrote, “There will be more strict action against paper leaks in tomorrow’s cabinet!”
Ahead of the proceedings, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message assuring students amid the ongoing exam-related protests and demanded that the Prime Minister address the issue on the floor of Parliament. The leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha questioned the Prime Minister’s choice to issue a video statement instead of participating in a formal discussion in the House. Kharge said, “He should speak in Parliament; only then will we understand his authentic words. When he comes, he should give a statement. Instead of speaking at 12 midnight, if he comes to Parliament during the day and says whatever he wants to say, then we will see.” (ANI)
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