New Delhi, Jul 24: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till Monday on Friday after disruptions over the NEET paper leak issue continued for the fifth consecutive day, with the Opposition demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the government urging a debate on the matter.
When the House reassembled at noon after an earlier adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to allow a discussion on the alleged examination irregularities, saying refusing to debate the issue would send a wrong message to the country.
Addressing the House, Rijiju said the government had repeatedly reached out to Opposition parties to facilitate a discussion and urged Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to persuade his party members to participate in the debate.
“Making excuses and attaching preconditions before a debate will send a wrong message to the country,” Rijiju said.
He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a proposed law providing for stringent punishment and fast-track courts in paper leak cases, adding that the Union Cabinet was expected to consider the legislation on Friday. Rijiju further noted that social activist Sonam Wangchuk had ended his 26-day hunger strike following government assurances.
However, Congress and other Opposition members continued to press for Pradhan’s resignation, raising slogans of “Istifa Do” (Resign).
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to speak, but before he could do so, the House was adjourned for the day till Monday.
Earlier, Speaker Om Birla paid tributes to the armed forces ahead of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, to be observed on Sunday. As Opposition members continued their protests, Birla reminded them that he had already assured a discussion on the paper leak issue under the rules of the House and urged them not to disrupt Question Hour.
The Question Hour has remained incomplete on each of the five sitting days of the Monsoon Session due to repeated disruptions. The session is scheduled to conclude on August 13.
