The political deadlock over the NEET paper leak issue continued in Parliament on Wednesday, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion takes place. The Centre, however, maintained that it is fully prepared to debate the matter during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Leading the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there could be no fair discussion on the NEET issue unless Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post.

Centre rejects Opposition’s condition

Responding to the Opposition’s demand, Leader of the House JP Nadda said the government was not avoiding a discussion and remained open to debating all issues, including the alleged NEET paper leak.

He said the government had already made its position clear and described it as transparent, adding that it was willing to discuss every matter raised by the Opposition.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also reiterated that the Centre had been ready for discussions since the beginning of the Monsoon Session. He said the government had consistently conveyed its willingness to debate the NEET issue and other important matters.

Rijiju added that if the Opposition was looking for reasons to avoid a discussion, it would not be appropriate. According to him, the procedure and timing of the debate would be decided after consultations among all parties under the Chair’s guidance.

Opposition maintains resignation demand

The government also informed the House that its willingness to discuss the issue had been communicated to Congress leaders and representatives of other political parties.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the Opposition’s stand, saying students were seeking the resignation of the Education Minister before any discussion. He asserted that the resignation should come first, followed by parliamentary debate on the issue.

Akhilesh Yadav also joined Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs during a march towards the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the protest over the NEET controversy.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has on Wednesday again demanded the complete abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

The party described its position as an “uncompromising and firm stand”, stating that it is not merely seeking reforms in the examination system but wants NEET scrapped entirely. The statement comes amid nationwide protests and growing concerns over alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination.

A TVK statement said medical education should come under the full control of state governments rather than the Centre. The party demanded that education be shifted from the Concurrent List to the State List of the Constitution, allowing states to decide their own admission policies for medical colleges. As an interim measure, TVK proposed creating a Special Concurrent List that would grant states greater authority over education until constitutional changes are made.

The party criticized what it called the “One Nation, One Education” approach, arguing that a single national entrance test places students from rural areas, government schools, Tamil-medium institutions, and economically weaker sections at a disadvantage. TVK reiterated its demand that admissions to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses under the state quota should be based on Class 12 examination marks instead of NEET.

TVK’s latest statement comes as students and activists across the country continue to protest over examination irregularities. The party clarified that its opposition to NEET is not limited to recent controversies but is based on its long-standing belief that states should have complete authority over medical education and admissions. It criticized political parties that promised to abolish NEET without delivering on those commitments, without naming the rival DMK.

The demand has reignited the debate over the future of NEET and the balance of power between the Centre and the states. Supporters believe scrapping the examination would provide a fair opportunity for students from different backgrounds, while opponents argue that NEET ensures a uniform standard for medical admissions across India.

At present, NEET remains a national-level entrance examination, and the Union Government has not announced any decision to abolish it. However, TVK has said it will continue to press for constitutional changes and greater state autonomy in medical education.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that an oil tanker carrying Indian crew was drifting with its engine switched off near the Strait of Hormuz before it was struck by US forces.

A CENTCOM spokesperson said the vessel had stopped due to engine failure and was drifting after its crew repeatedly sought additional time to carry out repairs. US officials said the tanker was struck only after it failed to comply with directives issued by US forces enforcing a blockade on vessels allegedly transporting Iranian oil. The military said the strike was aimed at disabling the ship by targeting its engine room rather than sinking it.

The incident involved a tanker carrying Indian seafarers near the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. The strike triggered a fire onboard, prompting rescue efforts by Omani authorities and maritime agencies. Indian authorities closely monitored the situation and coordinated with local officials regarding the welfare of the crew members.

The incident has drawn concern in India, with the government emphasising the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in the conflict-hit region. The Ministry of External Affairs has remained in touch with the authorities concerned as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to pose risks to international shipping.

In June, three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on another oil tanker. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the word’s oil trade, and the latest incident has renewed concerns over the security of merchant vessels operating in the region. Maritime experts have warned that escalating hostilities could further disrupt commercial shipping and endanger civilian crews navigating one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.