New Delhi: The first day of Parliament’s Monsoon session Monday saw repeated adjournments as the Opposition staged protests in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha demanding a discussion on several issues including the NEET paper leaks, Ram Mandir donation theft and the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar.
In the Lok Sabha, Opposition MPs started raising slogans soon after the obituary references, demanding discussions on alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust donation row.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of using force on students protesting against the alleged NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar.
Raising the issue soon after the House assembled, Kharge said, “This is a matter of the future of lakhs of students.” He added, “Today, thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar, but there has been a lathi-charge. The government is trying to hit students, the government is trying to suppress the students.”
As Opposition members continued raising slogans, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till noon.
Amid protests by Opposition MPs over various issues, Speaker Om Birla said: “Please remain seated. Cooperate in running the House.” However, he adjourned the House after Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans and entered the well of the House while disrupting Question Hour.
Ahead of the Monsoon session, addressing the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the Opposition to participate in the proceedings “wholeheartedly”.
“I believe that where there are facts, there is no need for chaos. If your logic and facts are strong, there is no need to raise your voice. I hope the discussions in Parliament are conducted with logic and facts, every voice should find an opportunity to be heard. That is the role of Parliament. I urge all parliamentarians to participate,” he said.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk has called for a march to Parliament Monday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the NEET examination controversy.
In view of the proposed march, security has been tightened outside Parliament.
On Saturday, Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 28 June in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Student organisations have been demanding greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations, arguing that repeated paper leaks and other irregularities have eroded the credibility of recruitment and entrance tests.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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