Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 20: The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed high drama on its opening day as the Opposition launched a sharp attack on the Central government over issues affecting students, particularly the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and the handling of protests in the national capital.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns over the future of lakhs of students, accusing the government of attempting to suppress voices demanding justice. Referring to the ongoing demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, he alleged that students protesting against the examination irregularities had faced police action.
Addressing the House, Kharge said the NEET issue was directly linked to the aspirations of millions of young people and deserved immediate attention. He claimed that thousands of students had assembled at Jantar Mantar to protest the alleged paper leak and accused the government of ordering a police lathi-charge to disperse them.
Kharge also remarked that the government was trying to silence dissent instead of addressing students' concerns and ensuring fairness in the examination process. He urged the Centre to listen to the protesters and introduce greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of competitive examinations.
His remarks triggered strong objections from members of the treasury benches, leading to heated exchanges between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. As tempers flared, MPs from both sides stood up, shouted slogans and engaged in a noisy confrontation, disrupting the proceedings.
With the House descending into chaos, Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan intervened and adjourned the proceedings.
The Opposition has repeatedly demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged examination irregularities and comprehensive reforms to safeguard the integrity of competitive exams. The government, however, has maintained that it is committed to ensuring transparency in the examination system and has taken steps to identify those responsible and initiate action against them.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police dismissed allegations that force was used against protesters at Jantar Mantar. In a statement posted on X, the police clarified that reports suggesting violence or detentions during the protest were incorrect, adding that the demonstration was being managed in a professional and peaceful manner.