NEET paper leak row stalls Lok Sabha for 5th consecutive day

New Delhi: The political confrontation over the NEET paper leak continued to disrupt Parliament on Friday, with Lok Sabha proceedings being adjourned for the fifth consecutive day.

The government, meanwhile, maintained that it was prepared for a discussion on the issue and urged the opposition to allow a debate in the House.

When the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon following an earlier adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had repeatedly appealed to opposition parties to participate in a debate on the alleged NEET paper leak.

According to PTI report, Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out for the fifth day in a row on Friday as the opposition stuck to its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, while the government said any excuse to not let a debate take place on the NEET paper leak issue would send a wrong signal to the country.

When the House met at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju pointed to the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and said the government has repeatedly reached out to opposition parties to let debate on the paper leak take place in Parliament.

He said while several opposition MPs are of the view that debate should take place, Gandhi should make his party members understand the need for a discussion.

He said making excuses and attaching pre-conditions before a debate will send a wrong message to the country.

Also Read:NEET 2024 leak: CBI says prime accused not involved in question paper theft

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured a stringent law on paper leaks and holding trial of the accused in fast-track courts, he said, while also noting that activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike.

He said the Union Cabinet will take a decision on the proposed law on Friday.

For the past five days, the House has been witnessing repeated adjournments due to opposition protest over the NEET paper leak issue.

The opposition members soon started raising slogans demanding Pradhan’s resignation and Birla reminded them that he has already assured them of a debate on the issue of paper leaks in accordance with the House rules.

The Question Hour has not been completed on any of the five days so far. The Monsoon session ends on August 13.

Also Read:PM Modi Calls NEET Paper Leak a Grave Sin, Vows Strict Action

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government will set up fast-track courts to ensure quick trials and strict punishment for the accused.

In a post on his official X handle, the Prime Minister said, "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth." He added that he has directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps to establish fast-track courts for such cases.

Calling it an important step in the government's ongoing efforts to protect students' interests, Modi said, "Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared."

Earlier, calling the NEET paper leak a "ghor paap" (grave sin), the Prime Minister said all those involved in the case had been arrested, and 13 accused were currently in custody.