Uproar over NEET in Lok Sabha as Government, Opposition face off

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with other Opposition MPs, proposed that the NEET matter be discussed first. “We wanted to  give a joint message to the students of India, on behalf of the Opposition and the government, that we consider this an important issue. So, we thought that to respect students we will have a discussion on NEET today, a dedicated discussion…,” Gandhi said.

The Speaker, however, insisted that a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the  President’s address be taken up first. He said Gandhi could make use of all the time allotted to the Congress to speak. “I have told you that you can take up the matter in the discussion on the President’s address… You will get adequate time and opportunity. You can speak on every issue while discussing the Presidential address. Not two minutes – I will give you all the time. You are a senior leader. You will get all the time. I will also expect the government to answer your queries,” the Speaker said.

While some members in the Opposition shouted that Rahul Gandhi’s microphone was muted, Birla said, “I don’t shut the mic. There is no button here.”

Both the Opposition and the Treasury benches stuck to their positions. While the Lok Sabha was first adjourned until noon, it was adjourned again till Monday soon after it met.

In his statement, Gandhi said, “There has been a disaster… Everyone knows the paper was leaked. People made thousands of crores. The students were hurt and damaged… That is why yesterday in the Opposition meeting, I personally raised the issue… that we need to spend one day discussing NEET. And there was an unanimous agreement among all Opposition parties…I tried to raise it in Parliament… I wasn’t allowed to speak.”

“This is an issue that has affected 2-crore students. Seventy times in seven years, papers have been leaked. It is clear there is a systemic problem and huge amount of corruption… It is unfortunate the government didn’t want this… It is sad that the Prime Minister of India, who in fact should be leading the discussion and should be telling us about his opinion and should be telling us what he is going to do…  (but he) simply doesn’t want a debate,” Gandhi said.

The government said it was willing to discuss any issue but as per rules. “We have said that whatever issues they raise, we will give detailed information. We assure members that the government is ready for discussion. But stalling the House is not a good thing the Congress has done. I condemn Congress’s attempt to break the convention,” Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said outside Parliament.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “When the President has mentioned it (the NEET) in her address, how are we hiding anything? The CBI has begun to round up people. We will not spare anyone. Those who were running the NTA have been removed and a senior official has been brought in. These show the government’s accountability… I appeal to the opposition – let us not increase doubts in the minds of students; we don’t need rumours and propaganda.”

The first day of the Rajya Sabha after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha saw a fiery start after the Opposition moved 22 notices for an urgent discussion on the NEET paper leaks issue. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he was “constrained not to accept these notices under rule 267” and went ahead with the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. Rule 267 says, “Rajya Sabha MPs can submit a written notice to suspend all listed business in the House and discuss an issue of importance the country is facing.”

The proceedings in Rajya Sabha also saw disruptions and adjournments, as Opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on the NEET issue. “…Honourable President in her address delivered yesterday to the members of both the Houses assembled had in paragraph 20 indicated that there would be a fair investigation ensuring strict punishment to the culprits and the government is working towards major reforms in examination related bodies, their functioning and all aspects of the examination process,” said Dhankar.

“The discussion on the motion of thanks on the Honourable President address will be initiated in the House today. All honourable members will have ample, adequate opportunity to put forth their views on the matter,” said Dhankar as Opposition members started raising objections.

Raising a point of order, Congress member Pramod Tiwari said, “Please kindly read rule 267 of the notebook… There are notices by LoP (Mallikarjun Kharge), me, and others… We also have some experience in the House.” Dhankar, however, pointed out that a discussion can only be allowed after the permission of the Chairperson.

“If the Chairman finds that the matter can be discussed immediately without waiting after debate on the President’s address, then why raise this… The opportunity is available at your door. The next item will be this only. Address of the Honourable President will be debated here. You will get all the opportunities,” said Dhankar.

Leader of Opposition in the Upper House and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge then stood up and said, “The thing is… there are some specific cases that with your consent, we can raise an issue. That is why 267 is there.”

Soon after the Rajya Sabha restarted 2.30 pm after the third adjournment, the Opposition members started raising slogans and staged a walkout. In the middle of the speech by BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, Leader in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda said, “I had thought I would start as Leader of the House by some pleasantries… With grief I have to say… democratic norms have been kept aside here and there is an attempt to hold the House hostage.”  Rakesh Sinha, Krishan Lal Panwar and Bhim Singh too participated in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.