Rajya Sabha Stalled for Fourth Day as NEET Row Sparks Fresh Face-Off Between Govt, Opposition

The Rajya Sabha remained paralysed for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as the standoff between the government and the Opposition over the NEET paper leak controversy showed no signs of ending. Repeated disruptions forced the Upper House to be adjourned multiple times before proceedings were finally called off until Friday.

The deadlock continued despite the government's repeated assurance that it was prepared to hold a detailed discussion on the issue. However, the Congress-led Opposition maintained that any debate could begin only after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from his post.

When the House reconvened after several adjournments, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to address the House. Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed him to speak briefly in an effort to break the impasse, but interrupted him, saying the opportunity had been given solely to facilitate the commencement of discussions on the NEET issue, which the government had already agreed to.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that the Centre was willing to hold a comprehensive debate immediately and urged the Opposition not to impose preconditions. He accused Opposition members of preferring protests over parliamentary discussions.

Kharge, however, remained firm on the demand for Pradhan's resignation, alleging that students protesting the examination controversy had suffered due to police action and that parents across the country were deeply distressed. He asserted that discussions would not begin unless the minister resigned.

Backing the government, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda criticised the Opposition's strategy, accusing it of deliberately preventing Parliament from functioning despite the government's willingness to debate the matter.

The House witnessed repeated adjournments at 11 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 3 pm, with sloganeering continuing throughout the day. Harivansh appealed to members to allow legislative business to proceed, but the appeals failed to break the deadlock.

The continuing stalemate has disrupted the Monsoon Session of Parliament since it began earlier this week, with the NEET paper leak issue remaining the central flashpoint between the treasury and Opposition benches.