Tensions flared in the Lok Sabha today as the Opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, staged a walkout amidst a standoff with the ruling NDA over the NEET paper leak controversy. The Opposition pressed for a dedicated one-day discussion on the issue, citing concerns over widespread student distress due to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. Rahul Gandhi underscored the severity of the situation, claiming that more than two crore students had been adversely affected by repeated paper leaks.
In response, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking for the NDA, argued against interrupting the ongoing Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, a longstanding parliamentary tradition. He emphasized that no other issues have historically been addressed during this session. Despite attempts by the Opposition to secure a commitment that the NEET issue would be addressed immediately after the motion, Speaker Om Birla upheld parliamentary protocol, suggesting that separate notices could be submitted for future discussions.
The deadlock intensified when the Speaker proceeded with the scheduled debate on the Motion of Thanks, prompting the Opposition’s dramatic exit from the session in protest. The NEET-UG exam, already under scrutiny following reports of 67 aspirants scoring full marks and arrests in Bihar related to paper leaks, remains a focal point of public and political scrutiny. The Central Bureau of Investigation’s ongoing investigation into these allegations further underscores the gravity of the situation, amid calls for transparency and accountability in the conduct of one of India’s most competitive examinations.
