New Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda sparred with the Opposition on Wednesday over their demand for a discussion on NEET paper leak and the crackdown on student protests.
While Rijiju and Nadda accused the INDIA bloc of disrupting Parliament proceedings, Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjun Kharge placed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as a prerequisite for any such discussion to happen.
At 2 pm, Rijiju said that the government has always maintained that it is ready to discuss all important issues, including the NEET paper leak.
“We are still ready…But how that discussion will happen has to be decided under the leadership of the Chairperson, after discussion with everybody, but if they make excuses and impose conditions on that discussion, that isn’t right. Our government is ready for a complete discussion on NEET and other connected issues, for the future of our youth and students,” he said.
“It is our duty and the Parliament’s duty to place before our citizens information related to each and every step the government has taken,” Rijiju said, adding, “I want to say to the Congress party, you demand a discussion and then disturb the House through sloganeering, this isn’t right.”
Nadda also criticised the INDIA bloc, saying that their behaviour is “irresponsible”. “This anti-democratic activity is clearly visible in the Parliament. By completely undermining the dignity of Parliament, they are violating democratic values”.
He reiterated Rijiju’s statement that the government is ready to hold discussions on NEET and related issues. “The government running under the leadership of honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a transparent government and is a government that always takes decisions in favour of the people. We strongly condemn these anti-people activities of theirs. They have no faith in democracy, nor do they believe in its values.”
In response, Kharge asserted that for a fair and impartial discussion on NEET paper leak, Pradhan needs to resign first.
“Until he tenders his resignation, an impartial discussion can’t happen. If we want an impartial discussion, I request the government to get his resignation,” he added.
Kharge cited Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, which allows a listed business of the day to be suspended to take up an urgent matter with the Chair’s approval.
It says, “Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being: Provided further that this rule shall not apply where specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules.”
In response, Deputy Chairperson Harivansh reiterated a ruling from 4 December 2025, when Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan clarified the scope of the discussion under the Rule, pointing out that in almost four decades, the Rule has been invoked in the House only in the “rarest of the rare occasions”, among other things.
When the House reassembled following a brief adjournment, Kharge and DMK leader Tiruchi Siva asserted this was a “rarest of the rare occasion”.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: ‘Most anti-youth PM in India’s history’: Rahul says Modi govt has turned against country’s youth