NEW DELHI, June 28: The Lok Sabha proceedings for Friday were adjourned amidst uproar from the opposition, who demanded a discussion on alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance exam. When the House reconvened at noon, opposition members persisted in their demand for a detailed debate on issues surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Speaker Om Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju advised opposition members to raise the NEET matter during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, citing parliamentary norms that require committee formation. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi countered, highlighting that students were primarily seeking justice and were unaware of procedural nuances.
Amidst slogans from Congress, TMC, and DMK members disrupting proceedings, Rijiju noted that it was unprecedented for the opposition to demand discussion on an issue before the scheduled Motion of Thanks. “We assure the opposition that we will address all issues raised during the Motion of Thanks debate,” Rijiju assured.
Speaker Birla emphasized that the electorate entrusted members to raise and debate issues inside the House, not disrupt proceedings akin to protests on the streets. “Do you not want the House to function? Do you not wish to discuss NEET during the Motion of Thanks debate?” Birla questioned amidst the continued uproar, eventually adjourning the proceedings till Monday.
Earlier in the day, amidst a similar uproar, TMC member S K Nurul Islam was sworn in as a Lok Sabha member. Opposition members initially sought an adjournment motion to suspend all business and discuss NEET-related matters. However, Speaker Birla first addressed obituary references for 13 former members, including ex-Lok Sabha speaker and ex-Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi.
Despite renewed appeals from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stressing the importance of discussing the NEET issue, Birla reiterated that the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address would proceed as scheduled. “You will have ample opportunity to raise all matters during the Motion of Thanks debate. However, I cannot allow any other issue to be raised during this time,” Birla concluded, citing prior notifications.