Parliament stalled again as Opposition continues to seek Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

The Opposition’s demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation continued to stall proceedings of the Monsoon Session of Parliament for the fourth day in a row on Thursday (July 23, 2026).

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Education Minister has to resign, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government’s commitment to hold a comprehensive discussion on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak issue. The Minister said the Opposition can decide the date and duration of the debate. 

Also read: Parliament monsoon session day 4 highlights on July 23, 2026

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leaders Saugata Roy and Mahua Moitra, met Speaker Om Birla to resolve the deadlock.

The Rajya Sabha functioned for less than 10 minutes in the morning before being adjourned twice amid the impasse. Soon after the House assembled, Mr. Rijiju said the government was ready to discuss the NEET issue “today itself” and urged the Opposition not to attach conditions to the debate.

Mr. Kharge, however, insisted that Mr. Pradhan must resign before any discussion could begin. Referring to the police action against student protesters, he said many students were in hospital and their parents were deeply disturbed. “Until he [Mr. Pradhan] resigns, discussion will not start,” he said. Amid sloganeering by both sides, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till noon and later till 2 p.m.

Leader of the House J.P. Nadda termed the Opposition’s conduct “highly irresponsible”. “They don’t want any discussion and won’t let the House function either. First, they wanted us to discuss the paper leak, and the government said we would discuss NEET and all other issues,” he said.

The disruption continued when the House reassembled at 2 p.m. Deputy Chairman Harivansh appealed to members to at least take up the listed Bills, but adjourned the House till 3 p.m. after barely two minutes. When proceedings resumed, he invited Mr. Kharge to speak in an effort to break the impasse. As the Congress president began reading from a written note, Mr. Rijiju objected, saying the government was willing to hold a discussion but the Opposition was not. The House was then adjourned for the day.

The Lok Sabha too witnessed repeated disruptions over the demand for a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue and Mr. Pradhan’s resignation. 

The Speaker appealed to members to allow Question Hour, assuring them that the government were prepared to discuss every issue thereafter.

“The Question Hour is the most important. After Question Hour, the House is ready to discuss every issue. I will speak to the government, and the government is also ready for discussions. I appeal to all members to participate in the discussion after the Question Hour,” Mr. Birla said.

However, Opposition members continued raising slogans, forcing repeated adjournments. When the House reassembled at noon, members again trooped into the well, displaying placards. Presiding Officer Dileep Saikia urged them to return to their seats, saying it was not right to disrupt proceedings.

Mr. Rijiju accused the Opposition of attaching preconditions and trying to avoid a debate on the issue. He said the government was prepared for a comprehensive discussion and wanted to place its position before the House as well.

He said Opposition members could speak for as long as they wished and the debate could continue for even two days. The government, he added, was willing to let the Opposition decide the date and duration of the discussion and had already approached the Congress and other Opposition parties to evolve a consensus. 

But as protests continued, the House was adjourned again within minutes.

When the House met again at 2 p.m., the protests resumed, prompting Mr. Saikia to adjourn it for the day.