NEET issue rocks Parl, both Houses adjourned

NEW DELHI: The issue of irregularities in the conduct of NEET rocked both Houses of Parliament on Friday with Rajya Sabha’s Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rushing to the well of the House along with all Opposition floor leaders, the BJD joining the protests for the first time, and repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha, where the INDIA bloc has 236 MPs.

Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam fainted in the Upper House and was admitted to RML hospital. Thereafter, the entire Opposition walked out of the House. The government was keen to stick to convention and discuss the President’s speech, while the Opposition was equally keen to raise the NEET issue.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pointed out that Zero Hour and adjournment motions cannot be allowed during the debate on the President’s speech. Birla added that all issues (including NEET) could be raised during the main debate. In the Rajya Sabha, chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar slammed the Opposition and said, “The kind of ignoble conduct will hurt every Indian, will put this institution to shame. We are here elected, get the prestige of being members of the upper house, the house of elders. If in this house we conduct ourselves in this unruly manner, it is most unfortunate.” Opposition-sponsored protests led to the Lok Sabha’s adjournment till Monday but the Upper House continued to run. Opposition leaders said they would participate in the debate on President’s speech from Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the debate in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In the Lower House, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi argued for an adjournment motion and said, “For the students of India, we wanted to give a joint message from Opposition and the government that we consider this issue as important. We thought we will have a dedicated discussion to show our respect for students…” Gandhi couldn’t finish his speech as microphones were turned off, leading to another round of protests.