Government agrees to detailed Lok Sabha discussion on NEET issue

The government said it is ready for a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha on the alleged NEET paper leak issue, while asserting that street protests will not resolve the matter. The Opposition continued demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

New Delhi: Amid the Opposition’s offensive over the alleged NEET paper leak issue, the government on Wednesday said it was willing to hold a detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha on the matter while making it clear that street protests would not yield any results.

As soon as the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon after an earlier adjournment, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to make a statement, but Congress leader K C Venugopal intervened to assert that the Opposition was also seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

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“Our demand is simple. When the entire nation is feeling the pain of our students, all other business of the House should be set aside and this burning issue should be the top priority for Parliament,” Venugopal said.

Rijiju said the government was willing to hold a discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak issue, but the Speaker would have to meet floor leaders of all parties to decide the rule under which the discussion would be held, along with its date and duration.

Later, talking to reporters, Rijiju said the government was ready for a “detailed discussion” as the people should know the steps taken by it.

He accused the Opposition of taking to the streets instead of holding a debate in Parliament and said sensitive issues concerning the youth needed discussion in Parliament.

Street protests would not yield results, he underlined.

In the Lower House, Birla said he had heard the views of all sides and the government’s willingness to hold a discussion with an open mind.

He urged Opposition parties to sit down and discuss the issue in detail and not rush to the House gallery and disturb order.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed anguish that while BJP and Congress members spoke, he was not allowed to speak.

He said if the interests of the youth and students are hurt, the Opposition is bound to protest on the streets as well.

Amid Opposition sloganeering, the House was adjourned till 2 pm.

Most Congress and SP members were wearing black clothes in the House to protest against the alleged NEET paper leak and the police crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar and other areas.

Separately, Pradhan met the Lok Sabha Speaker in Parliament House.

The Opposition has been demanding a discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak issue and is also seeking Pradhan’s resignation over the handling of the controversy surrounding the alleged examination irregularities.