Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon as Opposition protests police action against students

Opposition parties led by the Congress disrupted Rajya Sabha proceedings for a third day, protesting alleged police action against students over the NEET paper leak issue. Amid sloganeering, the Chairman adjourned the House after tributes and announcements on rail and Sikkim developments

New Delhi:  Opposition parties led by the Congress on Wednesday disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive day, protesting against police action on students demonstrating over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise the issue of baton charge and use of tear gas against student protesters earlier this week.

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Treasury bench members objected loudly, triggering a shouting match across the House. Before Kharge could complete even one sentence, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan adjourned proceedings until noon.

Earlier, when the House met for the day, members observed a moment of silence to mourn at least 20 people killed in an accident at an under-construction tunnel of state-run NHPC’s hydroelectric project on the Teesta river in Sikkim.

Radhakrishnan also informed the House about the commencement of operations of India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train, describing it as a milestone in clean, sustainable and technologically advanced rail transport.

He said the House congratulated the Prime Minister, the Railway Minister and railway officials on the achievement.

After listed papers were tabled, Kharge, wearing a black armband in protest, said the police action against students on Monday had caused him “immense pain.” Treasury and Opposition members then engaged in a fresh round of slogan-shouting, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House until 12 noon.

Most of the Congress MPs were wearing black shirts and kurtas to protest against police action on students.