“Let’s Discuss Everything”: Shah Offers Extended Debate, Opposition Holds Firm on NEET, Temple Row

The standoff in Parliament entered its fourth week on Wednesday as the government and opposition remained locked in a bitter confrontation over police action against students protesting the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with the controversy over Ram temple donations further widening the divide.

Home Minister Amit Shah sought to break the impasse by offering a detailed discussion on the issues raised by the opposition. Shah said the government was ready to discuss all matters, including the police action against student protesters, provided the opposition submitted a written notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by 2 pm. He proposed that the discussion begin at 3 pm and continue until 3 pm the following day, when he would give his reply.

The offer failed to end the deadlock.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar, demanding Shah's presence in the House and an apology over allegations of donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP of using the temple politically before the Lok Sabha elections but now describing it as a "state subject" to avoid answering questions in Parliament. She also questioned the government's silence over the police action against students, referring to tear gas, pellet-gun injuries and allegations of assault-rifle use against protesters in Bihar.

The dispute stems from a July 20 student march to Parliament Street over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The protest saw clashes with security personnel, including lathi charges and the use of tear gas and pellet guns. Several people were injured, and petitions challenging the police action have reached the Supreme Court.

The government has since introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned amid the controversy.

The opposition, including Congress, Samajwadi Party and TMC, has demanded that any discussion specifically address who authorised the police action. It has also insisted that the Ram temple donation issue be taken up.

With neither side willing to compromise, parliamentary proceedings remained disrupted, while measures including the Tribunals Reforms Bill were passed without substantive debate.