The fourth day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session was marked by fresh disruptions on Thursday as both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were repeatedly adjourned amid escalating protests over the NEET controversy. While the Centre reiterated its readiness to hold an immediate discussion on the issue, opposition parties maintained that any debate could only begin after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down.

The prolonged impasse has stalled legislative business, with noisy protests continuing inside and outside both Houses.

Government Urges Opposition to Drop Preconditions

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to opposition parties to participate in a discussion on the NEET issue without attaching conditions.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said the government, along with all NDA partners, was prepared for a debate even on Thursday itself. However, he accused the Opposition of attempting to block the discussion by insisting on the Education Minister’s resignation beforehand.

He also urged political parties not to politicise the issue, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of fast-track courts for paper leak cases as evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring swift justice.

Opposition Insists on Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

The Opposition remained firm on its stand, arguing that accountability must come before debate.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the Education Minister should resign before Parliament discusses the NEET controversy. He also criticised the Prime Minister’s recent remarks, calling them provocative.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the demand, saying students had lost faith in the education system and the government needed to restore public trust before offering solutions.

She alleged that students protesting over examination irregularities had faced police action despite the government’s claims of prioritising youth welfare. According to her, the Centre should engage directly with students and address their demands, beginning with the resignation of the Education Minister.

Parliament Adjourned Amid Sloganeering

Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted within minutes of reconvening as opposition members continued raising slogans over the NEET issue.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned until noon, while the Rajya Sabha also witnessed repeated interruptions, preventing normal business from proceeding.

Face-Off at Parliament Gates

Political tensions extended beyond the House as MPs from both the NDA and the INDIA bloc staged simultaneous demonstrations at Makar Dwar within the Parliament complex.

Senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, joined the INDIA bloc protest demanding accountability over the NEET controversy.

At the same time, NDA MPs assembled at the same location to counter the Opposition’s campaign, resulting in parallel protests inside the Parliament premises.

Fresh Parliamentary Moves Intensify Political Battle

Several opposition parties continued to raise the issue through parliamentary procedures.

The DMK submitted adjournment motions in both Houses seeking a discussion on abolishing NEET, while AAP MP Sanjay Singh sought suspension of business in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the alleged paper leak, examination reforms, police action against protesters and activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health.

Congress MP Hibi Eden also moved a privilege motion in the Lok Sabha over the alleged assault on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a recent protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

Deadlock Shows No Signs of Easing

The government has maintained that it is willing to discuss the NEET controversy without restrictions, whereas opposition parties continue to make the Education Minister’s resignation their primary condition.

With neither side showing signs of softening its position, Parliament remains locked in a political standoff, raising the possibility of further disruptions during the remaining days of the Monsoon Session.