Opposition Demands Education Minister Resignation Over NEET Paper Leaks

Parliamentary proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced repeated adjournments on July 23, 2026, as the INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) clashed over the NEET exam paper leak controversy. Mallikarjun Kharge, President of the Indian National Congress and Leader of Opposition, demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, vowing to block all parliamentary business until the demand was met.

The standoff escalated into physical confrontations at the Makar Dwar on the Parliament premises, where security personnel formed a human chain to separate protesting MPs. High-ranking leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, participated in a sit-in near the Makar Dwar. Parallel protests were staged by the NDA, who accused the Opposition of politicizing the issue.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated the government was ready to discuss the paper leak issue without preconditions, rejecting the demand for Minister Pradhan's resignation. Opposition leaders dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to establish fast-track courts as insufficient and instigative, arguing instead for accountability regarding police violence against student protesters. The Rajya Sabha's paralysis marked the fourth consecutive day of disruptions during the Monsoon Session, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh appealing for the House to resume its function.