Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Friday till Monday, July 1 following demands from Opposition MPs for a debate on alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations and the “failure” of National Testing Agency (NTA) responsible for conducting them.
Opposition leaders sought adjournment motions to discuss these issues in both houses, but their requests were rejected. The decision to file these motions was made during a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders on June 27 at the Delhi residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs Ranjeet Ranjan and Gaurav Gogoi moved the adjournment motion notice, while in the Rajya Sabha, party lawmaker Syed Naseer Hussain put forward the motion.
In the Lok Sabha, leader of opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi argued for an adjournment motion and said, “For the students of India, we wanted to give a joint message from Opposition and the government that we consider this issue as important. We thought we will have a dedicated discussion to show our respect for students. Now, the issue is, there are two forces…”
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla told the protesting opposition leaders that “it had been decided adjournment motion and zero hour will not take place during President’s speech. During President’s speech debate, you can raise any issue and I will request the government to reply to the issues raised by you.”
As the Opposition wanted some time to raise the NEET issue, Birla said, “You can raise all issues using full time.”
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reiterated Birla’s stance, suggesting that the opposition could raise their concerns during the debate on the President’s speech. After both houses reconvened in the afternoon, protests continued. Birla then adjourned the House till Monday.
Former Prime Minister and currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, HD Deve Gowda, said, “Lakhs and lakhs of students are suffering. Our senior leaders want to raise NEET. The government has started an enquiry. So far as NEET exam is concerned, you need to fix responsibilities. Unless the enquiry is completed, how can you fix responsibilities. They can raise the issue during the President’s debate. The government has done its duty. Till the enquiry report comes, HRD minister or the government can’t take decision.”
After the House adjournment, Gandhi informed journalists outside the Parliament, “Yesterday, all the leaders of the opposition parties had a meeting and it was unanimous that today, we want a discussion on the NEET issue… There should be a discussion on NEET here in the House. I request the Prime Minister that this is an issue of the youth, and it should be discussed properly, and it should be a respectful discussion. We will do it respectfully. You should also join the discussion; you should also participate because this is a matter of youth. A message should go from the Parliament that the Indian government and the opposition are talking about the students together.”
The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5 for admission to medical colleges, has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities. The exam results were announced on June 4. On June 27, the CBI arrested two persons in Patna, Bihar in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
