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.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the protest held outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday, accusing the Opposition of using students for political purposes amid the controversy over the NEET paper leak and other examination-related issues.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders and workers staged the protest, raising concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination leaks. The demonstration also highlighted the alleged police action against students who participated in a march to Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) a day earlier.

The protest continued until the evening before police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders. They were later released the same night.

Pradhan says Parliament discussion was offered

Responding to the protest, Mr Pradhan alleged that the Congress was attempting to create disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament by turning students into political tools. He also claimed the demonstration violated security protocols and caused inconvenience to the public.

The minister referred to remarks made by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who had earlier said he spoke with Rahul Gandhi during the protest. According to Mr Singh, the Centre agreed to hold a discussion in Parliament on the paper leak issue, but Rahul Gandhi later added another demand after that assurance.

Mr Pradhan said the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion on the issue in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress preferred political confrontation over democratic debate.

Centre reiterates commitment to students

The Education Minister said the government remains committed to discussing the NEET controversy and addressing the concerns of students and young people through Parliament.

In a post on X, Mr Pradhan said students deserve certainty, solutions and accountability rather than political confrontation. He added that the Centre remains committed to delivering reforms and answering students’ concerns while working to strengthen the examination system.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday placed five demands before the Centre after he and several senior Congress leaders were detained during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy.

The developments came after a day of political confrontation in the national capital, with the Opposition intensifying its protests over action taken against student demonstrators.

Rahul Gandhi demands resignations and reforms

While in detention, Rahul Gandhi released a video message outlining five demands for the government. He called for the resignations of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the controversy.

He also demanded action against police personnel accused of assaulting students during Monday’s protests and sought the withdrawal of cases registered against students.

Rahul Gandhi further asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for the crackdown on protesters, sought a discussion on the issue in Parliament, and called for education and examination reforms at the earliest.

Congress leaders detained during protest

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress leaders were detained by Delhi Police while staging a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later released in the evening.

Rahul Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was taken to Mandir Marg police station. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Priyanka Gandhi during her detention.

Questioning the country’s education system, Rahul Gandhi alleged that recurring examination paper leaks and rising education costs had created serious concerns for students and their families. He also said the Opposition wanted the matter to be discussed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Government accuses Congress of politicising the issue

Earlier in the day, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh met Rahul Gandhi at the protest site and held discussions for around 30 minutes.

Later, Singh alleged that Rahul Gandhi had changed his demands after the government agreed to discuss the NEET issue in Parliament, claiming the Congress leader subsequently insisted on the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Responding to the protest, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of exploiting students for political purposes. He said the government had already expressed its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion in Parliament and alleged that the Opposition was choosing political confrontation over democratic debate.

The political confrontation is expected to continue as the Opposition presses the government over the alleged examination paper leak issue.