NEET row stalls Parliament; govt says debate ok, Opposition wants Pradhan out first
Five days into the Monsoon Session, little business done as the NEET paper-leak controversy triggers repeated disruptions. Government says it’s ready to debate; Opposition insists the Education Minister resign first.
Five days into the Monsoon Session, the NEET paper-leak row has left Parliament at a standstill.
Both Houses remained repeatedly disrupted over the NEET paper‑leak controversy through the first week of the Monsoon Session, with minimal legislative work completed, according to a PTI report carried by Siasat. Question Hour in the Lok Sabha did not run for even 15 minutes across five days, and just one bill was introduced in each House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had “repeatedly reached out” to the Opposition to allow a debate on the paper leak, arguing that putting “excuses” and “pre‑conditions” before a discussion “will send a wrong message to the country.” He urged Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to let a debate proceed. The Opposition has demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation before any discussion, leading to protests inside the Houses.
The government side said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured a stringent law against paper leaks and fast‑track trials for the accused. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha saw the Vande Mataram Bill introduced amid uproar, while a judges’ strength bill was placed in the Lok Sabha but not taken up. Both Houses are scheduled to meet again on Monday.