New Delhi, July 23, 2026
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. on Thursday after persistent sloganeering by Opposition members demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak disrupted the proceedings.
Amid the protests, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government’s willingness to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak and appealed to Opposition parties to participate in the debate instead of insisting on preconditions.
Addressing the House, Rijiju said the government had repeatedly reached out to Opposition leaders and remained open to discussing the issue in both Houses of Parliament.
“I want to appeal to the House again today… We have also spoken to Congress leaders and other Opposition members on a personal level. We have invited them to meet us personally and share their views and suggestions. We have also discussed with the Lok Sabha Speaker that the government is ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue in the House and the Rajya Sabha in any manner the Opposition wishes, on any date they wish, and for as much time as they require. We have given this assurance,” he said.
The Union Minister further urged the Opposition to decide the timing of the discussion and accused it of avoiding a debate by attaching conditions to its participation.
“We would like to request the Opposition with folded hands to please decide when to begin the discussion. We are ready, but you (the Opposition) are presenting conditions and making excuses. Don’t make excuses; because if you impose conditions and make excuses, everyone understands that you want to avoid the discussion,” Rijiju said.
He also stressed that all instances of question paper leaks, irrespective of the state or examination involved, should be discussed objectively and urged political parties not to turn the matter into a partisan issue.
“It is absolutely necessary to discuss all the states where paper leaks have occurred, for any exam. Let’s not politicise this issue,” he added.
Presiding over the proceedings, Dilip Saikia appealed to members to maintain decorum and allow the discussion to take place at the “appropriate time without pre-conditions”.
Despite repeated appeals from the Chair, Opposition MPs continued raising slogans and demanding the resignation of the Education Minister, preventing the House from conducting its scheduled business.
With the disruptions continuing unabated despite several requests from the Chair, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m.(Agency)
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