Opposition Demands Education Minister Resign Amid NEET Protests

Both Houses of the Indian Parliament were adjourned on July 22, 2026, following intense protests by opposition parties over the NEET paper leak case and student demonstrations. Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition, asserted that the Union Education Minister must resign before any fair discussion on the issue can take place.

In the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister J.P. Nadda accused opposition lawmakers of shattering parliamentary decorum and behaving irresponsibly. Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government for blocking adjournment motions while allowing extensive debates on other topics, such as the national song, Vande Mataram. Jairam Ramesh added that the government's refusal to discuss the NEET issue and the detention of opposition leaders under Rule 267 created the current legislative impasse.

Outside the chamber, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi during protests at Lok Kalyan Marg, calling the move an attack on democracy. The party further demanded the complete abolition of the NEET system. Within the Lok Sabha, the session was marked by the suspension of Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee for using objectionable remarks against women MPs. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju maintained that the government remains prepared for a constructive discussion, though the deadlock persists over the demanded resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.