Parliament stalled over NEET paper irregularity as government refuses urgent debate

NEW DELHI: The government is not ready for an urgent debate in Parliament on the NEET question paper irregularity, which affects the future of lakhs of students. Both the Houses stalled due to opposition protests.

The opposition had issued notices in both houses to discuss the NEET issue urgently. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar was also demanded in person. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge demanded a discussion. The position of the Speakers was that they could speak in the debate on the motion of thanks for the President's speech.

Rahul said that the opposition and the government should discuss together and find a solution. While talking, Rahul's mic went off. When asked to turn on the mic to speak, the speaker replied that the switch was not in his hand. It angered the opposition. Following the commotion, both the houses were adjourned till 12 noon.

When the Lok Sabha reconvened on the 12th and started presenting motions for elections to the committees, the opposition took center stage and started making noise. The Speaker's request to discuss in detail later was not heeded. This is the first disruption in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.

At 12 o'clock when the Rajya Sabha reconvened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Harivansh, the opposition continued to rumble, but BJP's Sudhamshu Mishra started the debate on the motion of thanks.