Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has voiced strong criticism of the government’s approach regarding the NEET paper leak controversy. On July 22, she accused the administration of deliberately delaying discussions on this matter in Parliament. Speaking to journalists, she highlighted that the Opposition requested an adjournment motion to facilitate a thorough and meaningful debate on this critical issue.

Gandhi mentioned that if the government could allocate eight hours for a discussion on Vande Mataram, it could similarly dedicate time to the NEET controversy. She emphasised the necessity of having a proper discussion, asserting the need for the government to move beyond its alleged gamesmanship.

Opposition Parties Unite for Immediate Discussion

Earlier on the same day, Jairam Ramesh of the Congress party articulated that various Opposition parties, under the leadership of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, submitted a notice under Rule 267. This notice aimed to suspend the listed business to hold an immediate debate concerning the alleged police actions against student protesters and the NEET issue.

Ramesh disclosed that the notice sought to address the alleged excessive use of force by police against peaceful student demonstrators during protests held on July 20. The discussion also aimed to cover the detention of Opposition leaders during the protests on July 21 and the concerning silence of prominent government officials regarding these events.

He remarked that the ongoing standstill in the Rajya Sabha is a direct result of the government’s refusal to permit this urgent discussion under Rule 267. This rule allows for the suspension of specific parliamentary procedures to focus on urgent public matters.

Government Reiterates Willingness to Discuss NEET Paper Leak

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the government remains open to discussions on the NEET-UG paper leak, urging Opposition parties to collaborate on creating a discussion agenda. Rijiju reported that the government has consistently expressed readiness to address this issue for the past three days and is committed to doing so in accordance with parliamentary rules.

He pointed out that fruitful discussions should not be held merely for formality’s sake. Rijiju underlined the importance of ensuring that any debate reflects the serious concerns surrounding the future of students, advocating for a “positive discussion” that follows established processes.

In response to the ongoing uproar among Opposition members, the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed that the government is prepared for deliberations and encouraged floor leaders to solidify the agenda for the discussion. Despite this, the House was adjourned until 2:00 PM amid persistent disruptions.

Opposition Protests in Parliament

Additionally, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal noted that the Opposition has come to a consensus on the urgent need for a debate concerning the NEET examination leak issue. He asserted that the government should be held accountable and called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Congress members and other Opposition MPs staged a protest within the Parliament complex wearing black attire as a mark of dissent against what they termed the government’s inaction. Key figures, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, participated in the demonstration.

During the protest, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her solidarity with student activists and underscored their legitimate struggle for rights. She condemned the ongoing incidents of paper leaks and articulated that peaceful protests should be respected rather than suppressed.

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