Amid Lok Sabha logjam, Centre offers debate on NEET paper leak, says street protests ‘won’t help’

Amid repeated disruptions, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) told the Lok Sabha that the government is ready for a discussion on the NEET paper leak, even as Opposition parties insisted that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign over the controversy.

Opposition protests led to repeated adjournments of the House as soon as the proceedings started at 11 a.m. When the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon, Speaker Om Birla asked Mr. Rijiju to make a statement. 

‘Pradhan must quit’

Congress leader K.C. Venugopal intervened, saying the Opposition’s demand went beyond a discussion and included Mr. Pradhan’s resignation.

“Our demand is simple. When the entire nation is feeling the pain of our students, all other business of the House should be set aside and this burning issue should be the top priority for Parliament,” Mr. Venugopal said. He demanded that Mr Birla allow an adjournment motion on the issue, a parliamentary device where the House adjourns all other business and starts debating the subject for which the motion has been moved. 

Responding to him, Mr. Rijiju said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue. He said the Speaker would hold consultations with floor leaders to decide the rules, date, and duration of the debate.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav objected, saying that while BJP and Congress members had been allowed to speak, he had not been allowed. When Mr. Birla requested him to speak, Mr. Yadav said the Opposition would continue its protests inside and outside Parliament if students’ interests were harmed.

‘Debate with open mind’

Mr. Birla then said he had heard the views of all sides, as well as the government’s willingness to discuss the matter “with an open mind”. He urged Opposition members to participate in the debate instead of entering the Well of the House and disrupting proceedings.

Amid slogan shouting by Opposition members, the House was again adjourned till 2 p.m. Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs were dressed in black to protest the alleged paper leak and the police action against demonstrators at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere.

Street protests vs LS debate

Later, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr. Rijiju said the government was prepared for a “detailed discussion” so that the country could know the steps taken to address the controversy.

He accused the Opposition of preferring street protests over a parliamentary debate, saying that issues affecting students and the youth should be discussed in Parliament. “Street protests will not yield results,” he said.

Separately, Mr. Pradhan met the Speaker in Parliament House.

The Opposition has been pressing for a discussion on alleged examination irregularities while insisting on Mr. Pradhan’s resignation over his handling of the issue.