Opposition stages walkout from Lok Sabha over NEET controversy
What's the story
The deadlock between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance in the Parliament persisted on Monday.
The INDIA bloc walked out of the Lok Sabha over its demand for a separate one-day discussion on the NEET paper leak controversy.
The government, meanwhile, insists on proceeding with the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lower House of Parliament.
Context
Why does this story matter?
On Friday, Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted when Speaker Om Birla refused the opposition's request to debate NEET, prompting an uproar and adjournment of the House until Monday.
Similar disruptions occurred in the Rajya Sabha. Notably, the NEET-UG medical entrance exam came under lens after 67 candidates got perfect scores in one of the toughest exams in India.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities during the exam.
LoP's statement
Gandhi urges Birla for debate on NEET controversy
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged speaker Birla to permit a discussion on the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024.
Gandhi claimed that the paper leaks had impacted over two crore students.
"We wanted a one-day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions. We would be happy if you allow a separate discussion on the issue," Gandhi said.
Response
Government's response to opposition's demand
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responded to Gandhi's demand, saying, "In my decades-long tenure as a parliamentarian, never has any other issue been taken up during the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. Other issues can be raised after passing the motion of thanks," Singh said.
Gandhi and other opposition leaders sought government's assurance that the NEET controversy will be discussed about the Motion of Thanks.
Protest
Opposition walks out amid NEET controversy
Speaker Birla clarified that there is no precedent for discussing other matters during the Motion of Thanks debate, suggesting that members could submit a separate notice for the NEET discussion.
As the speaker called on Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur to begin the Motion of Thanks debate, the opposition staged a walkout, seeking a categorical assurance from the government.